Nicosia, Cyprus. The chamber of commerce (Keve) welcomed the passage of legislation regulating nicotine pouches following a parliamentary vote on Thursday. Keve said the law introduces controls over the distribution of snus, which had circulated without formal regulation.
Keve statement and collaboration
In a statement issued on Friday, Keve said it was “satisfied” with the development and described the outcome as the result of “coordinated interventions” carried out in collaboration with the kiosk owners union (Sykade). It said proposals were submitted to government ministries and parliament highlighting the need for oversight of the growing market.
Keve said the actions aimed to include these products in a regulatory framework equivalent to that of tobacco products, while also addressing “smuggling and trafficking through the Green Line.”
Parliamentary approval and sponsor
Parliament approved the legislation based on a proposal submitted by Diko MP Chrysis Pantelidis. Pantelidis told the plenary that the absence of regulation had allowed products of “dubious quality and unknown or uncontrolled origin” to circulate, posing risks particularly to younger users.
“We are regulating and controlling a product that is circulating outside commercial regulation,” he said.
Definition and prior classification
Under the new law, nicotine pouches are defined as manufactured products intended for oral use without inhalation or combustion, containing nicotine in solid form and excluding pharmaceutical products. Although they do not contain tobacco, they deliver nicotine derived from tobacco alongside flavourings and plant-based fibres.
Before the legislation, nicotine pouches in Cyprus were classified as pharmaceutical products requiring marketing authorisation, but no such licences had been granted.
What impact do you think the new controls will have on the availability of nicotine pouches in Cyprus?