The Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN) welcomes the important findings of a film by the BBC Morning Live programme on nicotine pouches which aired today on BBC One in the United Kingdom (UK).
The programme highlighted the need for nicotine pouches to be sold as an age-gated product, given there are currently no laws or regulations preventing their purchase or use by under 18s in the UK. This is a measure GINN fully supports, and we are calling on the UK Government and devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, to use the regulation making powers contained in the proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill to introduce an age of sale requirement for nicotine pouches at the earliest opportunity.
As part of the programme, Inter Scientific, a member of GINN’s Science and Standards Committee (SSC), tested nicotine levels in eight brands at their independent laboratory in Liverpool, UK; the results showed that the levels stated on labelling did not correspond with the levels found in products. GINN supports Inter Scientific’s call for more testing to be done on nicotine pouches before they enter the market and, following Professor Linda Bauld’s explanation on the effects of high nicotine levels, we renew our call for a cap on nicotine pouch strength. The absence of regulation should never be an excuse for unethical business practices that prioritises profit over public health; a responsibility that should be shared by all.
In our statement to the BBC, we issued an appeal for the UK Government to go further in the new legislation by extending their proposed licensing scheme to cover nicotine pouches. Through our partnership with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards, retailers and distributors are able to comply with any licensing scheme as GINN offers tailored advice that makes it easier to understand the laws and regulations, and navigate conflicting information from different local authorities.
Our SSC of leading science, regulatory, and public health experts continues its mission to advance evidence-based practices within the novel nicotine industry by establishing robust frameworks for industry standards. We look forward to sharing the outcomes of this work when completed.
In the meantime, GINN's Code of Practice on product manufacturing standards can provide valuable guidance for the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill, and responsible players in our industry.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For more information or journalist queries, please contact Tommy Gilchrist on +44 (0) 7388 110 679 or via [email protected].
The Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN) welcomes the important findings of a film by the BBC Morning Live programme on nicotine pouches which aired today on BBC One in the United Kingdom (UK).
The programme highlighted the need for nicotine pouches to be sold as an age-gated product, given there are currently no laws or regulations preventing their purchase or use by under 18s in the UK. This is a measure GINN fully supports, and we are calling on the UK Government and devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, to use the regulation making powers contained in the proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill to introduce an age of sale requirement for nicotine pouches at the earliest opportunity.
As part of the programme, Inter Scientific, a member of GINN’s Science and Standards Committee (SSC), tested nicotine levels in eight brands at their independent laboratory in Liverpool, UK; the results showed that the levels stated on labelling did not correspond with the levels found in products. GINN supports Inter Scientific’s call for more testing to be done on nicotine pouches before they enter the market and, following Professor Linda Bauld’s explanation on the effects of high nicotine levels, we renew our call for a cap on nicotine pouch strength. The absence of regulation should never be an excuse for unethical business practices that prioritises profit over public health; a responsibility that should be shared by all.
In our statement to the BBC, we issued an appeal for the UK Government to go further in the new legislation by extending their proposed licensing scheme to cover nicotine pouches. Through our partnership with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards, retailers and distributors are able to comply with any licensing scheme as GINN offers tailored advice that makes it easier to understand the laws and regulations, and navigate conflicting information from different local authorities.
Our SSC of leading science, regulatory, and public health experts continues its mission to advance evidence-based practices within the novel nicotine industry by establishing robust frameworks for industry standards. We look forward to sharing the outcomes of this work when completed.
In the meantime, GINN's Code of Practice on product manufacturing standards can provide valuable guidance for the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill, and responsible players in our industry.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For more information or journalist queries, please contact Tommy Gilchrist on +44 (0) 7388 110 679 or via [email protected].
About GINN:
The Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN) is dedicated to positioning itself as the industry's primary advocate for non-vaping reduced-risk products. While vapes have established representation, GINN focuses on emerging reduced-risk products like nicotine pouches and heat-not-burn. As a membership-based association, GINN engages with stakeholders globally and has an evidence-based and science-led approach at the heart of all that it does.
The Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN) is dedicated to positioning itself as the industry's primary advocate for non-vaping reduced-risk products. While vapes have established representation, GINN focuses on emerging reduced-risk products like nicotine pouches and heat-not-burn. As a membership-based association, GINN engages with stakeholders globally and has an evidence-based and science-led approach at the heart of all that it does.
