India's federal health ministry has ordered a nationwide crackdown on the illegal sale of nicotine pouches, citing severe health risks and rising exposure among children. Although the government has banned e-cigarettes, unapproved nicotine pouches are being smuggled and sold widely online and in local shops. Additionally, the Drugs Technical Advisory Board recommended halting any new nicotine approvals, while courts rejected the Adani Group's claims of duty-free immunity regarding pouch sales.
Health ministry's crackdown directive
- ▪The Indian health ministry expressed concern in its September 19, 2026 letter over the increased availability of oral nicotine pouches and the risk of nicotine exposure among children
- ▪The Indian federal health ministry sent a letter to all states on September 19, 2026, ordering a crackdown on the illegal sale of nicotine pouches
Indian government stance on nicotine pouches
- ▪The Indian government maintains that nicotine pouches are addictive, pose independent health risks, and have not been established as effective smoking-cessation aids
- ▪Nicotine pouches are illegal and unapproved in India, and are frequently smuggled into the country for sale online and through local tobacco stores, according to an Indian government source
Broader Indian nicotine regulations
- ▪India's Drugs Technical Advisory Board recommended in minutes published on September 16, 2026, that no new nicotine formulations be approved in the public interest
- ▪While the Indian government has banned e-cigarettes, it has approved certain nicotine replacement therapies such as patches and chewing gums
International stances on nicotine alternatives
- ▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that smokers who switch completely to alternatives like pouches, vapes, and heated tobacco products may reduce their health risks
- ▪The World Health Organization has stated that governments need to introduce more safeguards to protect people, especially youth, from nicotine pouch addiction
Debatable claims
- ▪India should legalize and regulate nicotine pouches as harm-reduction tools
- ▪Nicotine pouches do more harm than good to public health
- ▪Treating nicotine pouches differently from approved nicotine gums is justified
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