Experts: Authorizing nicotine pouches is a key step in the fight against smoking
2025-02-14 10:32:54
TiranaPost
Over the years, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations have developed tobacco control policies and anti-smoking strategies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which published a landmark decision in regulating the tobacco market, authorizing the marketing of ZYN nicotine pouches in the US.
Ana Constantinov, an addiction expert and representative of the Expert Council of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Protection, says that the decision by the US authorities represents an important step in regulating the market for nicotine-containing products. At the same time, it highlights a number of issues related to public health, consumer choice and controlling use among young people.
"For example, if we refer to the level of smoking in the Republic of Moldova, the latest data from the WHO report are quite worrying, Moldova is the only country in Europe and one of the 6 countries in the world where tobacco consumption is increasing. These data presented by the WHO in 2024 are parallel to the active fight against tobacco consumption over the years," says Constantinov.
Although the FDA is the national regulator in the U.S., its decisions and recommendations have a significant impact on global standards, as many countries consider the U.S. approach to the safety and management of these products. The FDA also works with international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to harmonize safety standards.
"It is necessary to understand that this decision is not a green light to approve the use of nicotine on a mass scale. But it is a mechanism to reduce the harmful effects caused by tobacco consumption on regular smokers. The FDA, after carefully analyzing the safety and health data of these products compared to traditional cigarettes, reported a possible reduction in health risks. Especially for passive smokers, this is a positive development for public health.
The FDA decision also states that, according to research and surveys, nicotine pouches are not coveted by young people.
"Even if this product is not popular among young people, it is important to continue taking all measures to prevent this category of potential consumers from falling into the 'marketing trap'. Initially, as the FDA said, it is about strict control over the marketing and promotion of this product," says the specialist.
Thus, the FDA's decision could become a precedent for the further development of the market for nicotine pouches and other smokeless products. At the same time, Anna Constantinov emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to regulation, which takes into account both the interests of adult consumers and the need to protect young people from nicotine addiction.
"It will be of interest to continue to follow the results of this decision and to take the positive experience to apply it at the national level and in the region where the problem of smoking and its consequences are a scourge for society," added the representative of the Council of Experts in the Parliamentary Committee on Social Protection.
