India orders crackdown on nicotine pouches, citing health risks, letter shows
PM•India has ordered states to crack down on illegal nicotine pouch sales, citing health risks and concern about children’s exposure. A federal drug panel recommended no new nicotine formulation approvals.
1. States told to enforce law
India’s health ministry told states on September 19 to take enforcement action against nicotine pouches, which it said were increasingly available online and in stores and posed particular concerns for children. The directive cited drug-law provisions allowing searches, seizures and prosecution of sellers.
2. Panel recommends no approvals
Minutes published on September 16 said the federal drug panel viewed nicotine pouches as addictive, independently harmful and not established as smoking-cessation aids. It recommended that no new nicotine formulation be approved.
3. Airport sales dispute
An Indian investigation in April found that Mumbai airport duty-free shops run by Gautam Adani’s business group breached the law by selling nicotine pouches. An Indian court this week rejected the company’s argument that duty-free shops were immune from domestic laws; Adani has denied wrongdoing.
