The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination informed the National Assembly on September 5 that nicotine pouches are non-tobacco products and do not fall under its regulatory mandate.
During the question hour, the ministry clarified that it had not issued any license to any cigarette company for the manufacture or sale of nicotine pouches.
This information was shared in response to a question from MNA Zartaj Gul regarding the grounds and conditions on which licenses were issued to cigarette companies for selling nicotine pouches. She also inquired about the steps taken by the government to prevent the sale and purchase of nicotine pouches by individuals under the age of 18 years and whether warning instructions are printed on cigarette packets to curb sales to minors.
The ministry’s reply stated that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) had analyzed nicotine pouches and does not recommend their use, as nicotine is a highly addictive substance. The ministry also announced the formation of a working group of relevant health experts to develop recommendations for the control or regulation of these products.
Additionally, the ministry confirmed that warning labels have been mandated on cigarette packets under SRO 863 (1)/2010 of the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smoker’s Health Ordinance 2002. These labels, in clear Urdu, are printed on one of the side panels of every cigarette packet manufactured or imported for consumption in Pakistan.
The sale of nicotine pouches has seen significant growth in Pakistan, with monthly volumes reaching over 40 million units in 2022.
