Luxembourg restricts nicotine pouches but does not ban them

Nicotine pouches - small white capsules that fit under the lip and provide a dose of nicotine without tobacco or smoke - are rapidly gaining popularity among young people in Luxembourg. They are attracted by the discretion, the lack of odour and the myth of "safety". But the reality has turned out to be different: the National Student Conference (CNEL) recently sounded the alarm, stating that students are underestimating the risk of addiction to these products.

On 31 October, Luxembourg's parliament approved a new law regulating alternative nicotine products, including snus. This is the first revision of the country's anti-tobacco legislation since 2017. Despite calls for a complete ban, the authorities limited themselves to setting a maximum nicotine content of 0.045 mg per pouch.

CSV member Françoise Kemp said the law sends a "clear message to young people". However, the Socialists from LSAP and the Greens (déi Gréng) remained dissatisfied. Former Health Minister Mars Di Bartolomeo bluntly accused the ruling CSV-DP coalition of giving in to pressure from the tobacco lobby.

On the other hand, the ADR and Pirate parties considered the banning tactics ineffective. In their opinion, the tightening would lead to a growing black market where nicotine content could not be controlled. The Left (Déi Lénk) supported the law as a compromise, recognising that an absolute ban does not work.

Health Minister Martine Deprez emphasised that the state will make the protection of minors a priority, strengthen preventive measures and monitor European initiatives in this area. At the EU level, the regulation of snus is still fragmented: in some countries they are completely banned, in others they are legal without restrictions.