Most consumers use nicotine pouches to reduce the harm caused by smoking, according to a Spanish study that warns restrictive regulations could drive users back to cigarettes or toward illicit markets.
The study, “Regulation of Nicotine Pouches,” was authored by the Tholos Foundation in collaboration with international consultancy Dynata. Researchers analyzed survey data collected in March 2025 from 515 active nicotine pouch users.
The survey found that if new restrictive regulations are implemented, 1/3 of respondents would seek illicit sources and another 1/3 would revert to smoking.
Experts such as psychiatrist Karl Fagerström endorse the products as harm reduction tools, noting that nicotine without combustion poses fewer risks. Fagerström pointed to Sweden’s success in lowering smoking rates through similar approaches.
Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP) president Anton Israel said the results emphasize the potential public health impact of pouches and the need for regulations that embrace harm reduction instead of outright bans.
He said the survey outcomes validate the tobacco harm reduction framework, which relies on lower-risk products like vapes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches to address smoking-related harms.
Nicotine pouches are smoke-free products that deliver nicotine by placing a small pouch between the gum and upper lip. They contain no tobacco leaf and produce no smoke or vapor. Israel said the design eliminates burning, which reduces exposure to harmful compounds compared with smoking.
Israel said nicotine itself is not the main driver of smoking-related diseases, which largely stem from toxic chemicals created during combustion. He cited the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, which states that while nicotine is addictive, it does not contain the toxic chemicals found in cigarettes such as tar and tobacco.
The NCUP said the results underscore the increasing recognition of pouches as effective quitting tools. Israel pointed out that Sweden achieved the lowest smoking rate in Europe with the aid of nicotine pouches and their predecessor, snus.
The Philippines regulates nicotine pouches. Israel said the country should consider the Spanish study as evidence that cigarette alternatives can lower smoking prevalence. He cautioned that prohibiting or restricting these products may drive consumers toward a black market where regulations and taxes are absent.
Israel also cited scientific studies indicating that smoke-free alternatives contain 95 percent fewer harmful chemicals compared to cigarette smoke. He said consumers should be given a choice to choose products that are less harmful to their health.
