Despite widespread protests, it will be from 1 March 2026 prohibited to sell, import and even possess nicotine pouches in France. The French government announced this over the weekend via its official website.
As early as February 2025, it became clear that the government wanted to put an end to the use of nicotine pouches in the country. Instead of introducing sales and marketing regulations like many other countries, the French government chose to go for a total ban. However, the proposal was criticised by several other EU countries.
Competing with cigarettes
Nicotine pouches are not covered by the EU Tobacco Products Directive and can therefore be freely sold throughout the EU. The products are often compared to e-cigarettes in terms of health risks - and like e-vapour, they compete directly with cigarettes in the nicotine market.
Smokeless nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches or white snus, are generally considered to be less harmful to health than tobacco smoke. Several of the largest tobacco manufacturers have entered the market in recent years, and in Sweden, sales of snus and nicotine pouches account for a significantly larger share of revenue than cigarettes. According to official reports, the Swedish smoking decline is closely linked to the increasing use of snus and e-cigarettes.
A trade barrier?
Several countries - including Sweden - protested against the French proposal. Critics pointed out that the ban is out of proportion to the real risk and that cigarettes, which are far more harmful to health, can still be sold freely throughout France.
The Swedish government also emphasised that a total ban could be considered an illegal trade barrier in the EU internal market.
Government: "A toxin"
However, the French government maintains that oral nicotine should be considered a poison - and that a total ban is therefore necessary to protect the population. Several French lobby organisations have been pushing hard for this outcome.
The government decree states that the production, manufacture, transport, import, export, possession, distribution and use of nicotine products for oral use will be banned from March 2026.
The EU turned a blind eye to
Despite the protests, the European Commission had no objections, which many interpreted as a tacit yes to the ban. The French Parliament was also not consulted again, even though several politicians in recent months had advocated replacing the ban with tighter regulation.
But it didn't work out that way.
27 per cent smoke in France
The ban means that neither French people nor tourists can legally carry a tin of white snus or nicotine pouches in their pockets. Earlier this year, France also introduced a ban on the sale of disposable vapes, but without banning possession.
Despite high tobacco taxes, cigarette consumption in France remains high: as high as 27 per cent of the population smokes. In comparison, the figure in Sweden is only 5.7 per cent.
Black market fears
French Tobacco Retailers Association The Confederation of Buralists regrets the decision. The association warns that a total ban will drive the market underground, similar to the extensive black market in cigarettes in the country.
"The ban will fuel cross-border and illicit markets while depriving adult smokers of a less harmful alternative in a legal and controlled environment," the organisation writes in a press release.
Sources for this article:
France: nicotine pouches to be banned in March 2026
Anti-tobacco groups hail France's decision to ban nicotine pouches in 2026
