Cyprus parliament moves to regulate nicotine pouches

The Parliamentary Committee on Health in Cyprus has begun reviewing a legislative proposal to regulate nicotine pouches, which currently lack a formal legal framework. Proposed by DIKO MP Chrysis Pantelides in December, the bill aims to integrate these products into existing tobacco control legislation to ensure public health safety and combat smuggling. The legislation defines nicotine pouches as non-tobacco oral products that do not require heating or combustion. During the committee meeting, all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the Cyprus Anti-Drugs Council, and various trade associations, expressed support for the measure. The proposal focuses on setting clear quality standards, nicotine content limits, and child-resistant packaging requirements. While initial reports suggested a timeline of early April for submission to the plenary, subsequent updates indicate the committee aims to finalize the article-by-article review for a potential vote by March 26. The move addresses concerns regarding the unregulated origin of some products, particularly those entering from the northern occupied areas of Cyprus.