Chennai: Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drugs Control has warned against buying, selling, or using oral nicotine pouches sold illegally online. These products are unapproved and lacked established safety, efficacy, or quality, according to a letter issued by the joint director of drugs control.The directorate cautioned the public against using the nicotine pouches to quit smoking, gutkha, or tobacco chewing, or to ease nicotine withdrawal. The products deliver nicotine—a pharmacologically active substance—directly into the bloodstream through absorption in the cheek lining, the notice said. Uncontrolled use of the concentrated nicotine, which can exceed the amount in a single cigarette and includes unknown additives, may lead to worse health risks from higher overall intake, the warning said.
The warning, issued on Wednesday, asked the public to refrain from using such nicotine pouches, sold under brand names such as Swag Slim White Minto Nicotine Pouch, WG White Gold Strong Massive Mint Nicotine Pouch, Daze Tropical Mist Nicotine Pouch, Icey Mint Nicotine Pouch, and Whyte Mango Strong sold through e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Buydaze, World of Nicotine, and Dholakia Tobacco. Manufacturers, retailers, including online marketplace operators, distributors, hospitals, and pharmacies in the state were directed to refrain from manufacturing, stocking, exhibiting, or offering these for sale.The directorate issued a show-cause notice, calling for explanations from Amazon Seller Services Bengaluru for violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Notices were also sent to dealers including RR Impex (Delhi) and Daze India (UP), which runs Buydaze, Arthian Organic (OPC) Private Limited, and Dholakia Tobacco Pvt Ltd, Gujarat, for selling the drug without the requisite licences and for selling unapproved drugs. Activists are demanding an immediate ban on these products. “For treatment purpose, only 2mg of nicotine is prescribed. These pouches contain up to 50mg of nicotine and are being sold without any permission. Teens upgrade themselves from chewable tobacco to nicotine pouches,” said S Cyril Alexander, state convener, Tamil Nadu People’s Forum for Tobacco Control.
