The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has issued advice to retailers, stating that nicotine pouches should not be marketed or sold to children. The trade body also highlighted the dangers of illicit high-strength nicotine pouches reported to be in circulation.
Luke McGarty, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at SGF, said: “While there is no legal age limit on the sale of nicotine pouch products in Scotland, concerns have been raised about the impacts of nicotine on the health of younger people.
“Standard pouches contain up to 20mg of nicotine, with over 30mg typically providing more nicotine per pouch than a cigarette.”
“However, extra-high strength, illegal and counterfeit pouches of 100mg+, which may pose a significant risk to the users’ health, have been reported widely in the media. We would encourage anyone with information about these illicit products to share that with police or trading standards.”
New restrictions on the sale and age limit for nicotine pouch products are expected to be introduced through the UK Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
“Just like retailers across the country, the Scottish Grocers’ Federation is focused on responsible community retailing,” McGarty added.
“We work with key stakeholders to promote this goal and highlight the importance of adhering to legislative and regulatory requirements.”
SGF highlighted that there is a British Standards Institution course on tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches.
Full guidance and information on Regulations for Nicotine Vaping Products and Tobacco Compliance in Scotland are available on the SGF website.
The SGF’s advice follows a public warning from The Chartered Trading Standards Institute about the rising popularity of nicotine pouches among school age children and the fact that there is no law in place to stop them being sold to kids.
