**NICOSIA** – Cyprus finds itself in a peculiar regulatory quandary regarding nicotine pouches, a burgeoning product category that has, as of late 2024, yet to be definitively placed under a clear legal framework. While the Cyprus Drugs Council officially designated these novel oral nicotine products as pharmaceutical items in October 2024, this classification has inadvertently created a regulatory vacuum, as no corresponding marketing authorisations have been issued for their legal sale. This leaves vendors and consumers alike navigating a landscape devoid of specific rules concerning product strength, taxation, or age restrictions, a situation starkly contrasting with the more established regulatory approaches in many other European Union member states.
The ambiguity surrounding nicotine pouches stems from their exclusion from existing smoking control legislation. Unlike traditional tobacco products or even e-cigarettes, which are subject to specific directives, these small, discreet sachets, designed to be placed under the lip, have eluded comprehensive legislative scrutiny. This regulatory oversight gap became particularly pronounced with the influx of untaxed and largely unexamined Chinese-manufactured pouches onto the Cypriot market in 2024. These products, often boasting considerably high nicotine concentrations, have raised significant public health concerns among authorities.
Pharmaceutical Services in Cyprus have been vocal in their apprehension, issuing cautionary advisories concerning the potential adverse health effects associated with these products. Reports have highlighted risks such as accelerated heart rates (tachycardia) and the possibility of nicotine poisoning, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory clarity. Kiosk owners, the primary point of sale for these items, have openly admitted to operating within a legal grey area, uncertain about the precise legal standing of the products they are offering to the public.
The classification of nicotine pouches as pharmaceutical products, while a step towards acknowledging their psychoactive properties, has paradoxically stalled their integration into a regulated market. The stringent requirements for marketing authorisation, a process designed to ensure product safety and efficacy for medicinal use, have not yet been met by any of the nicotine pouch products available. This protracted process, coupled with the absence of dedicated legislation, creates a significant void in consumer protection and public health management.
In comparison, over fifteen EU member states have already established legal frameworks for non-tobacco nicotine pouches, permitting their sale and regulating aspects such as nicotine content and packaging. Sweden and its Scandinavian neighbours, with their long history of regulating similar oral tobacco products like snus, offer a precedent for controlled market access. However, Cyprus's current situation means that consumers are largely left to their own devices, making purchasing decisions without the benefit of clear guidelines on product safety or the potential long-term health implications. The continued absence of a definitive regulatory stance risks exacerbating public health concerns and creating an uneven playing field for businesses operating within the island's retail sector.