Ban on NZT? (Nicotine Without Tobacco)

April 23 2021, by Willy van Knippenberg
3 min reading time

The RIVM has investigated which tobacco-free nicotine products are available in the Netherlands and how harmful such products are to health.

Update: Ban on sales of SNUS / Nicotine Free Tobacco (NZT)

Nicotine pouches containing 0.035 milligrams or more of nicotine per pouch may no longer be sold or traded in the Netherlands as of November 2021. Why are nicotine pouches banned? Nicotine pouches are prohibited because, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), the nicotine they contain is harmful to health.

The RIVM has investigated which nicotine products without tobacco (NZT) are available in the Netherlands and how harmful such products are to health.

What are NZT products?

NZT - Nicotine Without Tobacco pouches

In the Netherlands, NZT is usually used in nicotine pouches. These products haven't been on the market for very long. They are small, porous pouches containing nicotine powder that are placed under the (upper) lip.

The RIVM study shows that using nicotine pouches is not without risk. They contain enough nicotine to affect heart rhythm, induce and maintain nicotine addiction, and have a detrimental effect on the development of young brains.

Due to the harmfulness and addictiveness of these products, the RIVM recommends that NZT be included in the Tobacco and Smoking Products Act.

Measures for a smoke-free generation

New Zealand is already considering a ban on cigarette sales to anyone born after 2004. This would mean that young people and future generations would never be able to buy cigarettes themselves. The Netherlands also aims for a smoke-free generation by 2040.

The Prevention Agreement includes the following measures:

From 1 April 2020, the excise duty on tobacco will be increased, so that a pack of 20 pieces will be €1 more expensive in 2020.
Since 2020, cigarettes, rolling tobacco, cigars, e-cigarettes, and related products have no longer been visible at points of sale, such as in supermarkets. The packaging has also been given the same dark green-brown color.
From the 2020/2021 school year, all school grounds will be smoke-free.
By 2020, all petting zoos and childcare facilities will be smoke-free.
In 2020, health insurers will no longer impose a deductible on primary care smoking cessation programs
In 2020 all playgrounds will be smoke-free
By 2025, (almost) all sports clubs will be smoke-free.
By 2025, all healthcare institutions will be smoke-free.

Ban on NZT products?

The RIVM recommends including NZT, such as nicotine pouches, in the Tobacco and Tobacco Products Act. This would automatically prohibit sales to minors and cross-border sales. It would also make it easier to address marketing and better inform users.

Critics fear the plans will push sales of these products to the black market.

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