Crackdown on Illegal Oral Nicotine Pouches: A Nationwide Alert

The Directorate of Drugs Control in Tamil Nadu issued a stern warning against buying, selling, and using oral nicotine pouches, which remain unauthorized in India. Their safety and efficacy are unverified, raising significant health concerns.

After receiving a complaint about their illegal sale through online platforms, the directorate issued show-cause notices to dealers in New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, highlighting violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. A similar warning went to an online portal in Bengaluru.

The public is advised to avoid these products as smoking cessation aids due to health risks from increased nicotine consumption. The Directorate urges stakeholders, including manufacturers and retailers, to halt the handling of unapproved nicotine pouches.