France on Wednesday banned the use, sale, purchase and possession of nicotine pouches and other oral nicotine products starting April 1, in a move aimed at protecting public health, particularly among young people.
The ban covers tobacco-free nicotine pouches -- small sachets placed between the lip and gum -- as well as other oral nicotine products such as lozenges, chewing gum, pastilles and liquids, according to French broadcaster BFMTV.
It does not apply to chewing tobacco or products classified as medicines and medical devices used for smoking cessation.
Health advocates welcomed the decision, calling it "a crucial measure to protect young people and counter the pernicious strategies of an industry that thrives on the addiction market, to the detriment of public health," according to the Alliance Against Tobacco, now known as Contre-Feu.
Marion Catellin, director of Contre-Feu, said the products "are extremely addictive" and can contain "a concentration of nicotine as high as that in a whole pack of cigarettes."
French health authorities have raised concerns about a rise in poisoning cases linked to these products, particularly among children and adolescents.
The national health agency had earlier called for "particular vigilance" as reports of exposure increased sharply in recent years.
Studies have also identified harmful substances in nicotine pouches, including arsenic, lead and other toxic compounds, further fueling concerns over their safety.
