
South Australia’s government decided to take a tougher stance on nicotine pouches than even vapes and cigarettes. Photo credit: Jakubdrastich2, CC4.0.
South Australia is the first state in the country to ban nicotine pouches. The state government banned nicotine pouches under new tobacco and e-cigarette legislation, marking the first time it has used its authority to formally declare a product prohibited. The move is part of a broader crackdown on the illicit tobacco and vaping market.
Under the new regulations, the pouches are now classified alongside illicit tobacco and e-cigarette products. Authorities have the power to seize them and impose fines of up to A$1.5 million on those selling them.
Recent legislative changes have introduced tougher penalties, with fines reaching up to A$1.5 million for serious violations. The state has also banned vending machine sales of tobacco products in public areas and prohibited the supply of therapeutic e-cigarettes to anyone under 18. Additionally, a new tobacco wholesale licensing system has been implemented to curb illegal sales, alongside stricter requirements to ensure only "fit and proper" individuals can hold a license to sell tobacco products. Authorities now have the power to enforce interim and long-term business closures for those caught selling illicit tobacco and vaping products.
The government has ramped up enforcement efforts with a dedicated A$16 million task force under Consumer and Business Services (CBS), which began operations on July 1 last year. Since then, officials have seized more than A$12 million worth of illicit tobacco and vaping products.
Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized ZYN nicotine pouches, making ZYN the first and only authorized nicotine pouch in the US. FDA determined that marketing all 20 ZYN variants is appropriate, stating that the products have "the potential to provide a benefit to adults who smoke cigarettes." The agency concluded that the benefits for legal-aged nicotine users outweigh potential risks, including concerns about youth access.