Tobacco trafficking is not organized by manufacturers. It is organized by criminal networks. Blaming the legal industry means targeting the wrong culprit and weakening the fight against these networks,

Tobacco trafficking finances criminal networks, fuels the shadow economy, and weakens legal businesses. It is a matter of public safety as much as public health.

Denial will not make trafficking disappear. What we need today is political courage to truly target the criminal networks organizing this trade.

Some countries have chosen a pragmatic approach, combining tighter control of illegal channels, cooperation with economic actors, and targeted measures. Results show that determined action can significantly reduce parallel trade.

This resolution does not change any public policy, does not create any new obligations and does not strengthen existing tools against the illicit trade in tobacco. The WHO Protocol is already in force, already applied and already recognised by French and European institutions.

Who can still claim that tax increases are effective in reducing the number of smokers in France, where smoking prevalence remains at over 30%? This excessive tax policy has mainly encouraged structured, and industrial smuggling,

The government has a moral duty to adopt the principle of reducing the harm associated with smoking to allow adult smokers to have access to alternatives to tobacco, legally. All we are asking is that they look at the scientific data and regulations that have enabled many countries to achieve their public health goals

By acting alone, France risks isolating its position within the EU, creating a parallel market, and depriving adult smokers of regulated alternatives that are recognized elsewhere as effective tools for reducing tobacco use.

“It is important that nicotine pouches are recognized in European law. But it is essential to adopt a differentiated tax approach that reflects their potential role in harm reduction for smokers.”

"A rigorous standard like XP V37-500 provides a mark of quality, a reliable guarantee of quality and transparency for products intended for adult consumers, sold through a network of trained professionals. It is another step toward calling for strict regulation of nicotine pouches and combating the emergence of an uncontrollable illicit market."

On World No Tobacco Day, we stand alongside those calling for stronger protections to prevent underage access to tobacco and nicotine products. We have implemented responsible practices across our business and advocate for wider change. Well-thought-out regulation can help France achieve its smoke-free ambitions by encouraging more adult smokers, who would otherwise continue to smoke, to switch completely to smokeless alternatives, while preventing underage use.

Twenty years ago, the only means to address the health impacts associated with smoking cigarettes was tobacco control. Today, adult smokers, who would otherwise continue to smoke, should have the opportunity to switch to reduced-risk profile alternatives. The scientific evidence supporting this harm reduction approach is compelling, and we believe progress towards Building a Smokeless World can be accelerated by implementing harm reduction strategies.

We are deeply outraged that the industry was not consulted on the implementation of these regulations, which seem totally out of touch with French people's expectations. [...] We call on the government to show responsibility by establishing a strict but balanced regulatory framework, rather than imposing a hasty ban that will provide no concrete solution to the protection of minors.

The only way to effectively protect minors and ensure control over these products is to adopt intelligent regulation, not a ban that will only fuel an illegal market

This misinformation, fuelled by anti-tobacco groups that seem to have lost sight of their original mission, spread fear and misunderstanding about alternative products, ignoring the conclusive facts supported by scientific studies[1]. Let’s open the debate to achieve France's objective,

It is time for public policies to follow science, not ideology,

I know that some view the tobacco and nicotine industry's commitment to reducing smoking with scepticism, [...] Only together can we design solutions to protect minors, help smokers transition to a less harmful solution, and tackle the health harms associated with smoking head-on,

It is crucial to put in place consistent regulations that frame all nicotine-containing products, including sachets, applying strict age restrictions. However, these products, which do not contain tobacco and do not generate smoke or combustion, must be considered separately from traditional tobacco products in order to avoid confusion and ensure a suitable framework for adult smokers seeking alternatives.

France is at a turning point in the fight against smoking. Despite repressive policies such as one of the highest tobacco taxes in the world and plain packaging, smoking remains one of the causes of preventable cancer attributable to modifiable risk factors, and over 30% of French people still smoke,

Public health policies against smoking are simply not working. Alarmingly, many people mistakenly believe that smokeless alternatives, such as vaping products or nicotine pouches, are just as risky as combustible cigarettes.

I know that some people are skeptical about the tobacco and nicotine industry's commitment to reducing smoking. Only together we will be able to find solutions to protect minors, help smokers make the transition to less risky alternatives, and tackle head-on the reduction of the health damage associated with smoking.

Government and stakeholders need to work constructively together to provide solutions for smokers. As far as nicotine pouches are concerned, the solution is not a ban, but regulation

We are in favor of strict regulation that, from the outset, would prohibit the sale of these products to minors and any other measure that would prevent these products from being accessible or attractive to them

We believe that this initiative is a step in the right direction and can deliver tangible results in our shared objective of protecting minors and selling products only to adult smokers. This measure is a concrete expression of our desire to tighten the framework around the sale of tobacco and new nicotine products (vaping, nicotine sachets) rather than banning them.

I'd like to make it clear that the nicotine pouches marketed by BAT France are not a tobacco product, as they contain no tobacco, unlike “snus”, which is prohibited. Our products are designed and intended to help adult smokers find an effective long-term alternative.

As with all our products, our position is constant and firm on this point: nicotine products are for adult smokers only. We believe that if we really want to reduce the health risks associated with tobacco products, we need to offer products that are attractive to adult smokers and make them available where they usually buy their cigarettes. Health groups should support this approach, rather than erecting barriers.”

This measure would be devastating for smokers seeking an alternative to tobacco. It goes against the objectives set by the previous government in the National Plan for Tobacco Control. The government's role is to ensure the safety and efficacy of products, not to bias consumer choice.

Indeed, alternatives, such as nicotine pouches, can play a role in reducing the harm caused by combustible products and contribute to the goal of a tobacco-free generation.

In fact, illicit sales of products with much too high concentrations and labels attractive to minors will only increase.

In the absence of a legislative framework, BAT France has done more to ensure that these products are marketed responsibly by retailers and sold after appropriate age verification.

It's time for government, public health and industry to work together to find viable solutions. These efforts should focus on strictly controlling minors' access to these products, while offering adult smokers legal alternatives to tobacco.

This ban, if it comes to pass, will be devastating for smokers looking for an alternative. The French Minister of Health, who appeared before the Parliament, seems to want to cut short existing debates on the regulation of pouches and similar tobacco-free products.

The only way to protect minors from access to these products is not to ban them, but to build a responsible and appropriate regulatory framework.

We all agree that minors must be prevented from having access to tobacco and nicotine products, contrary to WHO claims. To achieve this, it is essential to establish a balanced regulatory framework that enforces existing age restrictions for all nicotine products, while continuing to offer adults less harmful alternatives.

New reduced risk products to cigarettes, including vapes and nicotine pouches are key to unlocking Government smoke-free targets - targets we support. We are clear on our responsibilities, and therefore want to have an open conversation about appropriate regulation that will tackle underage use while keeping smokeless alternatives like vapes and nicotine pouches as a vital tool to help adult smokers switch.