A new alert. The INC and 60 Million Consumers, in collaboration with the National Committee against Tobacco (CNCT), call for a ban on nicotine sachets, called “bags” in France. In a study published this Tuesday, December 10, the organizations “question the presence of a product of this type on the market, “as it is a product that is not an abstinence product with recognized effectiveness.”
“It presents a risk of intoxication, but also of addiction for the youngest with an uncontrolled and sometimes very high level of nicotine, without forgetting the presence of possible contaminants,” indicates 60 Millions de Consommateurs.
No regulatory limit on the amount of nicotine
In this study, scientists analyzed seven types of sachets, “chosen with different aromas (spiced lemon, red berries, Bellini, etc.).” The bags are tobacco-free nicotine pouches. They contain, in a permeable fabric, polymeric fibers impregnated with nicotine and aromas. These pouches, which slide between the lip and gum, diffuse the nicotine for several tens of minutes.
“These sachets are marketed outside any clear legal framework,” states the study published this Tuesday, which indicates that the sachets “have no regulatory quantity limit, while nicotine is addictive and is classified as a poisonous substance.”
In fact, the analysis shows that the levels of nicotine present in the products are systematically lower than those indicated, but in variable proportions. For example, D’lice frozen mint sachets contain 4 grams instead of 12 per sachet.
“A consumer will find a different amount of nicotine for the same dose if they change products, which can be problematic in the weaning process,” laments 60 Million Consumers.
Heavy metals in the composition
When analyzing their seven types of nicotine pouches, the scientists found arsenic in all of them. “The values found were quite high for the D’lice sachets (more than 0.20 µg/sachet) and Zyn (0.59 µg).”
The study explains that more analysis is needed to know more about this risk of contamination, but considers that “it remains avoidable contamination.”
Additionally, some bags contain lead, antimony, molybdenum or chromium. “These metals are naturally present in our environment. Its presence, very specific to the brands, is a probable sign of contamination of the raw materials used,” explains 60 Million Consumers.
“These products are like candy”
In addition to heavy metals, there are also sweeteners. These are not food grade, the labeling does not necessarily specify the type used. “This is the case of Zyn. Le Nois, according to the label, does not contain it. D’lice products contain acesulfame K and Velo products contain xylitol, in two cases (spiced lemon and red fruits), sucralose,” he explains. study.
The INC/60 Millions de consommateurs and the CNCT state that “in view of the content and their sweetening power, these products are like candy. And although the box indicates that they are prohibited to those under 18 years of age, the flavors and Sweeteners make them palatable, even for children.
In October, the Minister of Health, Geneviève Darrieussecq, also stressed that the marketing of bags “is directly aimed at young people.”
Furthermore, the study published this Tuesday indicates that the boxes containing these nicotine sachets “are not safe”, which carries a risk of poisoning after accidental ingestion or consumption by children and adolescents.
Towards a ban?
Scientists are calling for these nicotine sachets to be banned in France. “This would be the way to protect young consumers and non-smokers, giving smokers other means of weaning, all before creating a sector that is too large and that would be more difficult to dismantle,” writes 60 Millions of Consumers . Pouch sellers present them as a healthier alternative to cigarettes since they do not contain tobacco and do not cause combustion.
On October 29, Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq, now resigned, announced that a ban would soon be published.
In November 2023, ANSES had alerted about the health risks of the pouches, which can cause “acute poisoning” with nicotine. According health insurance websitean overdose in nicotine It manifests itself as headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cold sweats, tremors, and sometimes generalized weakness. “In high doses,” seizures may occur, adds the Health Insurance.
The Minister of Health also warned about the possibility of “inducing nicotine dependence and then starting to smoke” by consuming bags.
Furthermore, an observation already made by the CNCT in May. This association found 239 advertisements for nicotine pouches on Instagram in 2023, while “no rigorous age verification is carried out on the sites” that sell them.
Source: BFM TV
