Consumers exploit loopholes to buy cheaper nicotine pouches

Consumers in Austria are using delivery points in Italy and Slovenia to bypass restrictions on nicotine pouches and buy them more cheaply, ORF Kärnten reports.

Since the beginning of April, nicotine pouches have been covered by Austria’s tobacco monopoly law and may only be sold in tobacco shops. Online sales are prohibited.

The changes were intended to improve youth protection. People under 18 can no longer buy nicotine pouches in tobacco shops or from vending machines. However, online buyers only need to confirm with one click that they are at least 18 before placing an order.

Some customers have their orders delivered to a post office in Italy or Slovenia and collect them there. The workaround has been used not only by young people but also by adults who primarily want to save money.

A pack costs an average of 6.50 euros in an Austrian tobacco shop, compared with about 3.50 euros online. Wolfgang Streißnig, head of the Carinthian tobacco retailers’ association, said the products available abroad can also contain considerably higher doses of nicotine.

Austrian customs officials are aware of the issue, according to a statement provided to ORF Kärnten. Officers regularly check travellers to determine what types and quantities of nicotine pouches are being brought into Austria. Young people are also being checked more closely.

Anita May, a clinical psychologist at the Rauchfrei Telefon Austria counselling service, said the new law nevertheless strengthened youth protection by making access more difficult and creating an additional basis for discussions with young consumers.

Young people who are already addicted need professional counselling, May said.