Latest news with #GeneralProductsSafetyRegulations2005
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nicotine pouches mimicking kid's sweets sold in Glasgow shop
Extra-strong nicotine products, presented with "eye-catching designs" that mimic children's sweets, are being sold in a Glasgow shop, according to an undercover report. BBC Scotland's investigation found that these nicotine pouches, which potentially are "ten times the strength of cigarettes," are openly available for purchase. The shop employee claimed the pouches contained 100mg of nicotine; however, tests revealed a lower level of 17mg, still categorised as extra strong by most legitimate manufacturers. READ MORE: Parents warned shops are legally selling addictive nicotine pouches to children These findings highlight concerns regarding the sale of such addictive products, which are marketed using colourful packaging and sweet flavours that appeal to minors. These products, termed a "worrying child appeal" by Trading Standards, are often placed in plain sight at the front of check-out areas in stores. Nicotine pouches, also known as snus, are small sachets containing nicotine, flavourings, sweeteners, and plant-based fibres, which are inserted under the upper lip to allow nicotine absorption through the gum. They are available in flavours similar to those of vapes, including tropical mango, very berry, and cherry ice. Despite being deemed less harmful than smoking or vaping, these pouches can cause numerous side effects like nicotine addiction, oral health issues, gastrointestinal problems, gum irritation, increased heart rate, blood pressure, and a heightened risk of cardiovascular diseases. Unlike cigarettes and vapes, nicotine pouches are not governed by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR), but rather the less strict General Products Safety Regulations 2005 (GPSR). This indicates that these products can be widely sold in stores and online, often with no age restriction. READ MORE: Trio behind bars after police uncover £1.8m cannabis factory The BBC's reporter managed to buy a tub of orange-flavoured "Millions" pouches for £7.50, which lacked all the required hazard warnings and manufacturer details, during the investigation. The design on the tub was a direct rip-off of the "Millions" sweets branding, produced by Golden Casket Ltd, a Scottish confectionery manufacturer. Golden Casket Ltd said they were "appalled" at their branding being used in such a manner. Another brand called "Candys," with gummy bear illustrations, was also found for sale. Kate Pike, from the Chartered Institute of Trading Standards, said: "It was 'outrageous' that products were mimicking popular sweet brands in a bid to target children." BBC Scotland's investigation has led to the retailer removing the "Millions" product from its shelves. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently passing through Parliament, aims to address this concern by making it illegal to sell nicotine pouches to individuals under 18. The bill also proposes powers to restrict the use of child-appealing flavours, packaging, and advertising, and dictate the placement of these products in stores. The loopholes that currently allow children to buy these products have resulted in widespread reports from across the UK. READ MORE: Police reveal outcome of huge fire that tore through historic church Young users, such as Alex, who began using nicotine pouches at school aged 15, have reported addiction, with consumption reaching as many as 15 pouches a day. British American Tobacco, Phillip Morris, and Japan Tobacco International, some of the largest nicotine pouch manufacturers, have all voiced their support for the forthcoming legislation. With the government tightening the rules surrounding the sale of nicotine pouches, it is hoped that this new legislation will help curb the recent surge in young people becoming hooked on these addictive products.
Glasgow Times
07-08-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Extra-strong nicotine pouches sold in Glasgow shops
BBC Scotland's investigation found that these nicotine pouches, which potentially are "ten times the strength of cigarettes," are openly available for purchase. The shop employee claimed the pouches contained 100mg of nicotine; however, tests revealed a lower level of 17mg, still categorised as extra strong by most legitimate manufacturers. READ MORE: Parents warned shops are legally selling addictive nicotine pouches to children These findings highlight concerns regarding the sale of such addictive products, which are marketed using colourful packaging and sweet flavours that appeal to minors. These products, termed a "worrying child appeal" by Trading Standards, are often placed in plain sight at the front of check-out areas in stores. Nicotine pouches, also known as snus, are small sachets containing nicotine, flavourings, sweeteners, and plant-based fibres, which are inserted under the upper lip to allow nicotine absorption through the gum. They are available in flavours similar to those of vapes, including tropical mango, very berry, and cherry ice. Despite being deemed less harmful than smoking or vaping, these pouches can cause numerous side effects like nicotine addiction, oral health issues, gastrointestinal problems, gum irritation, increased heart rate, blood pressure, and a heightened risk of cardiovascular diseases. Unlike cigarettes and vapes, nicotine pouches are not governed by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR), but rather the less strict General Products Safety Regulations 2005 (GPSR). This indicates that these products can be widely sold in stores and online, often with no age restriction. READ MORE: Trio behind bars after police uncover £1.8m cannabis factory The BBC's reporter managed to buy a tub of orange-flavoured "Millions" pouches for £7.50, which lacked all the required hazard warnings and manufacturer details, during the investigation. The design on the tub was a direct rip-off of the "Millions" sweets branding, produced by Golden Casket Ltd, a Scottish confectionery manufacturer. Golden Casket Ltd said they were "appalled" at their branding being used in such a manner. Another brand called "Candys," with gummy bear illustrations, was also found for sale. Kate Pike, from the Chartered Institute of Trading Standards, said: "It was 'outrageous' that products were mimicking popular sweet brands in a bid to target children." BBC Scotland's investigation has led to the retailer removing the "Millions" product from its shelves. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently passing through Parliament, aims to address this concern by making it illegal to sell nicotine pouches to individuals under 18. The bill also proposes powers to restrict the use of child-appealing flavours, packaging, and advertising, and dictate the placement of these products in stores. The loopholes that currently allow children to buy these products have resulted in widespread reports from across the UK. READ MORE: Police reveal outcome of huge fire that tore through historic church Young users, such as Alex, who began using nicotine pouches at school aged 15, have reported addiction, with consumption reaching as many as 15 pouches a day. British American Tobacco, Phillip Morris, and Japan Tobacco International, some of the largest nicotine pouch manufacturers, have all voiced their support for the forthcoming legislation. With the government tightening the rules surrounding the sale of nicotine pouches, it is hoped that this new legislation will help curb the recent surge in young people becoming hooked on these addictive products.
Daily Record
07-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Nicotine pouches packaged like kid's sweets sold in Glasgow shop
An undercover reporter was able to buy nicotine pouches which can be up to 'ten times the strength of cigarettes' Nicotine pouches up to "ten times the strength of cigarettes" and packaged like children's sweets are openly being sold in Scots shops, according to a damning new undercover report. Extra-strength nicotine products with "eye-catching designs" made to attract young children, including some copying the logos of much-loved sweet brands, are readily available to buy, BBC Scotland reported. It comes after a Disclosure reporter, filming undercover, was able to purchase nicotine pouches imitating the name and branding of the popular 'Millions' sweets in a shop in the east end of Glasgow. The shop worker who sold the pouches claimed they contained 100mg of nicotine, which would make them about 10 times the strength of a cigarette. Tests later showed a lower level of 17mg, which most legitimate manufacturers would still class as extra strong. Trading Standards previously said nicotine pouches "are the latest example, with slick marketing, sweet flavours and colourful packaging that risk appealing to young people, whether intended or not." However, they are technically legal for kids to buy, as there is no law restricting the age of sale for nicotine pouches. Nicotine pouches are small products containing nicotine, flavourings, sweeteners, and plant-based fibres. Otherwise known as snus, they are placed under the upper lip, allowing nicotine to be absorbed through the gum, and are available in flavours similar to those of vapes including tropical mango, very berry and cherry ice. The pouches are thought to be less harmful than smoking or vaping but they can cause a variety of side effects, like nicotine addiction, oral health issues and gastrointestinal problems. People may experience gum irritation and recession, increased heart rate, blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular diseases. Nicotine pouches are more easily available to buy than vapes and cigarettes, as they don't fall under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR). Instead, like nicotine-free vapes, they are covered by the less-strict General Products Safety Regulations 2005 (GPSR). This means that nicotine pouches are currently widely available in store and online and aren't always restricted to over 18s. These regulations also don't have strong rules around advertising or packaging. Trading Standards officers have found that nicotine pouches are now in plain sight at the front of the check-out areas in stores. Kate Pike, from the Chartered Institute of Trading Standards, told the BBC it was "outrageous" that products were mimicking popular sweet brands in a bid to target children. Nicotine Pouches: What's the Problem?, the BBC Disclosure documentary, saw a reporter buying a tub of orange-flavoured Millions pouches for £7.50. The shop worker who sold the product told her: "They're special." The product was missing all of the required hazard warnings and did not have traceable manufacturer details. The design on the tub featured photos of the Millions sweets, made by Scottish confectionery manufacturer Golden Casket Ltd. They told the BBC they had no connection to nicotine pouches and were "appalled" their branding was being used in this way. Another brand called 'Candys', with pictures of gummy bears, was also for sale. The makers of the Candys brand did not respond. The retailer told the BBC it had now pulled the Millions product off its shelves. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. In order to tackle this recently-emerged threat to young people, a new Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently making its way through Parliament, and it will outlaw the selling of nicotine pouches to those under the age of 18. The new Bill will also introduce powers to restrict the use of child-appealing flavours, packaging and advertising and dictate where they can be placed in shops.
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
'Addictive' nicotine pouches sold to children are replacing disposable vapes
While disposable vapes are now banned, kids are turning to equally attractive nicotine pouches- which they can technically buy legally. Since the UK ban on disposable vapes came into place in June to protect children from becoming addicted, a new trendy nicotine product has reared its ugly head. With sweet flavours and colourful packaging, nicotine pouches are equally attractive to children. But there are currently very few regulations on the selling of them. Nicotine pouches are small products containing nicotine, flavourings, sweeteners, and plant-based fibres. They are placed under the upper lip, allowing nicotine to be absorbed through the gum, and are available in flavours similar to those of vapes including tropical mango, very berry and cherry ice. While they are thought to be less harmful than smoking or vaping, the long-term health effects of using these products is not yet known. And they are technically legal for kids to buy. Nicotine pouches are more easily available to buy than vapes and cigarettes, as they don't fall under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR). Instead, like nicotine-free vapes, they are covered by the less-strict General Products Safety Regulations 2005 (GPSR). This means that nicotine pouches are currently widely available in store and online and aren't always restricted to over 18s. These regulations also don't have strong rules around advertising or packaging. While Trading Standards officers are currently ensuring that businesses are no longer selling single-use vapes, they have found that nicotine pouches are now in plain sight at the front of the check-out areas in stores. This, along with their sweet-like flavours and bright packaging, is causing increasing concern about their attractiveness to children. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is calling for all nicotine products to be kept out of children's reach. Duncan Stephenson, Policy and External Affairs Director at CTSI, said: 'While Trading Standards is working to ensure that the ban on single disposable vapes is in place, we are coming across new and emerging threats. "It very much feels like a game of whack-a-mole - just as one product is dealt with, another emerges - the availability of potentially harmful products being promoted and sold to our children seems never ending. "Nicotine pouches are the latest example, with slick marketing, sweet flavours and colourful packaging that risk appealing to young people, whether intended or not." In order to tackle this recently-emerged threat to young people and schoolkids, a new Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently making its way through Parliament, and it will outlaw the selling of nicotine pouches to those under the age of 18. The new Bill will also introduce powers to restrict the use of child-appealing flavours, packaging and advertising and dictate where they can be placed in shops. But some believe that despite the Bill, the government is not taking quick enough action to tackle the growing problem of children being sold nicotine pouches. Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive at Action on Smoking and Health said: 'The government has all the tools needed to address youth appeal and use of nicotine pouches in legislation before parliament. But parliamentary time has not been found to progress this legislation since April. "In the meantime, companies, who know their marketing practices will eventually be restricted, are continuing to heavily promote pouches in ways that appeal to children. While they are likely to be very much less harmful than smoking, they contain nicotine which is addictive, and the long-term health impacts are not known.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
