July 2nd, 2025
As tobacco companies attempt to counter the ban on nicotine pouches, the ACT, the French Alliance Against Tobacco, together with nine European public-interest NGOs, denounces the growing influence of the tobacco industry within EU institution. In an op-ed published today in Le Monde, the organizations call on Member States to put public health before financial interests.
In February, France notified the European Commission of its intention to ban oral nicotine products —particularly the highly addictive nicotine pouches — widely marketed by the tobacco industry to young people to ensure a long-term consumers. However, the EU’s response has been delayed, hindered by intense lobbying from the tobacco industry and political interference from Member States with strong financial ties to cigarette companies.
Countries such as Italy, Greece, Romania, and the Czech Republic—all beneficiaries of significant investments from Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, and Japan Tobacco International—have issued formal objections to France’s proposed ban. For instance, Philip Morris International invested €1 billion in a new manufacturing facility in Bologna, Italy, while British American Tobacco committed €500 million in 2023 to an "innovation hub" in Trieste. Since 2017, Philip Morris has also funneled nearly €700 million into a new product factory in Greece. Similar lobbying tactics were employed when Spain, Denmark, and Belgium introduced national regulations.
Across Europe, tobacco and nicotine manufacturers aggressively target youth, including minors, using marketing strategies that mimic public health campaigns. They market nicotine pouches as smoking cessation tools while above all these products remain a core driver of industry profits.
Civil society is calling for immediate action: Member States must resist tobacco industry pressure and adopt strong national bans on nicotine pouches. At the same time, the European Commission must urgently revise outdated tobacco directives to close legal loopholes and ensure that EU policy is guided by the public interest—not by industry influence.
