A new poll by the Tholos Foundation, conducted in partnership with international polling firm IPSOS, revealed that three-quarters of Danish consumers use nicotine pouches primarily to reduce or quit smoking, Business Wire reported on November 19.
This research was released in response to the Danish Government's draft regulation from September 2024, titled "Draft Order on Nicotine Content Limits in Tobacco Substitutes," which proposes a maximum limit of 9 mg per pouch.
Since nicotine pouches were introduced in Denmark in 2018, smoking rates have dropped from 19% to 14% in 2023. However, the research indicates that nearly 20% of current pouch users would return to smoking if the proposed nicotine limits were implemented.
The findings also suggest that such a policy could fuel a surge in black market activity, with 50% of consumers indicating they would turn to illegal purchases. Additionally, the vast majority of consumers oppose the proposed nicotine limit.
"The evidence is clear: nicotine pouches help consumers quit smoking and reduce harm. The proposed nicotine limit is a disaster for public health which will increase smoking rates, and create a huge black market," Consumer Affairs Director Tim Andrews said.
"Eighty percent of consumers know nicotine pouches are helpful in reducing smoking rates, and believe governments should support less harmful alternatives to smoking - a powerful voting block. This is a clear sign to the government they should follow international best practices through introducing smart regulations based on research and evidence, which restrict sales to minors and prevent underaged experimentation, while still allowing adults the ability to quit smoking," he said.
