What Is COP11? COP 11 is the 11th Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), a global treaty aimed at reducing tobacco-related harm. This conference is scheduled to take place from 17—22 November 2025. What Might Be Discussed at COP11? Tobacco Harm Reduction: Discussion on the role of alternative nicotine products and their place within tobacco control strategies. Environmental Impact: The conference will likely debate the ecological consequences of tobacco cultivation and product waste. Industry Accountability: Discussions are likely to focus on holding the tobacco industry responsible for health harms. Forward-Looking Measures: It is expected that new tobacco control measures will be presented. Will Decisions Taken at COP11 Affect UK Consumers? COP11 sets global standards and also puts pressure on governments like the UK to act in line with their recommendations. Depending on what is adopted at COP11, consumers could see big changes to what nicotine products are available on the UK market.

Nicotine Pouches

Published 2025-10-07

Leak Reveals EU’s Plan To Ban Nicotine Pouches

Leaked proposals from the European Commission reveal ambitions to ban nicotine pouches and flavoured tobacco and nicotine products, despite these being proven harm reduction tools. Haypp is calling for evidence-based policy in the face of this public health risk.

nicotine pouch on eu flag, indicating EU's plan to ban nicotine pouches

Key Takeaways

The plans include a total ban on nicotine pouches and flavour bans on tobacco and nicotine products
This move could deter smokers from switching to safer nicotine alternatives
Other suggestions include reversal of the legal burden and stricter environmental regulations
Haypp warns that these measures ignore harm reduction success stories and lack scientific backing

Controversial Plan to Ban Nicotine Pouches Revealed Summary of the Leak Implications for Europe and Beyond Reduced Smoking Through Nicotine Alternative Products

Controversial Plan to Ban Nicotine Pouches Revealed

A leak from the European Commission reveals plans to push a very aggressive position at the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) during COP11 in Switzerland this November.

The proposed measures in this draft extend far beyond the recommendations from the FCTC Secretariat itself and could have a devastating impact and anti-smoking strategies across Europe.

Summary of the Leak

Sources within the EU Commission report that the package being prepared for presentation at COP11 includes several controversial proposals:

A total ban on nicotine pouches, potentially removing an effective smoking cessation aid.
A flavour ban covering all tobacco and nicotine products, which could discourage smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives.
Reversal of burden of proof and legal sanctions. Manufacturers and retailers could bear responsibility if someone claims they have been harmed by the product, with class action suits or criminal penalties possible.
Tough new environmental regulations, including bans on filters (even biodegradable ones) and single-use plastics, which may affect the packaging and components of nicotine pouches.
Restrictions on comparative claims, prohibiting ingredient or emission comparisons between products and therefore limiting consumer information.

COP11 Explained

What Is COP11?

COP 11 is the 11th Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), a global treaty aimed at reducing tobacco-related harm. This conference is scheduled to take place from 17—22 November 2025.

What Might Be Discussed at COP11?

Tobacco Harm Reduction: Discussion on the role of alternative nicotine products and their place within tobacco control strategies.
Environmental Impact: The conference will likely debate the ecological consequences of tobacco cultivation and product waste.
Industry Accountability: Discussions are likely to focus on holding the tobacco industry responsible for health harms.
Forward-Looking Measures: It is expected that new tobacco control measures will be presented.

Will Decisions Taken at COP11 Affect UK Consumers?

COP11 sets global standards and also puts pressure on governments like the UK to act in line with their recommendations. Depending on what is adopted at COP11, consumers could see big changes to what nicotine products are available on the UK market.

Implications for Europe and Beyond

The proposals represent more than technical policy changes; they would have serious implications for public health policy.

Europe, alongside the United States and New Zealand, has achieved significant reductions in smoking rates through making risk-reducing products such as snus and nicotine pouches available to nicotine users.

Countries such as the Czech Republic, Italy, and Sweden recognise the advantages of these alternatives. However, the current proposal by the EU Commission may overlook these achievements in favour of blunt prohibitions.

Reduced Smoking Through Nicotine Alternative Products

Progress in reducing smoking across Europe has been closely linked with the adoption of products such as nicotine pouches.

Restrictive measures, such as flavour bans and prohibitions on nicotine pouches, could result in increased cigarette consumption with all the health risks that will bring for European citizens.

Disappointingly, while the Commission acknowledges the necessity for additional independent research before enacting substantial policy changes, it has proposed a package that appears to be disconnected from evidence.

The package lacks a robust scientific foundation and completely ignores the successful harm reduction initiatives observed in countries that have reduced-risk products, such as nicotine pouches, available to consumers.

Next Steps

The proposal is anticipated to be presented at COP11 in Switzerland this November. The EU’s position will be discussed and negotiated by health ministers from the member states.

Decisive action by member states will be necessary to ensure that some of the most effective tools for reducing smoking rates are not regulated out of existence by the European Commission.