They’re known as Zyn or snus – small pouches of tobacco designed to be tucked under the lip to deliver nicotine into the bloodstream – and from this week they are banned in South Australia.
SA is the first state in the nation to ban the pouches, which have been gaining in popularity, particularly among young people.
From now on nicotine pouches – which are sold as an alternative to vapes and tobacco – are subject to the same controls as illicit tobacco and e-cigarette products.
It means the pouches are now prohibited products and authorised officers can seize them and enforce fines of up to $1.5 million against those selling them.
The pouches are small, pre-filled bags containing various ingredients that are often not on the label, such as nicotine, sweeteners and flavouring.
Held in the mouth between lip and gum, the pouches facilitate fast delivery of nicotine into the blood stream with the amount of nicotine in one pouch typically the same as one tobacco cigarette.
Nicotine pouches are available in a range of novelty flavours and are often packaged in colourful branding.
Alarmingly, they are commonly marketed towards children and young people via social media and can also be promoted as quitting aids for smoking and vaping, despite a lack of evidence supporting their use.
The State Government has banned the pouches under new tobacco and e-cigarette legislation. This authority allows the Government to issue a formal declaration that such a product is prohibited, and this is the first time a declaration has been used under this new legislation.
It follows other legislative changes recently introduced against the illicit tobacco and vape market including:
- An increase in penalties – up to $1.5 million for some breaches.
- A ban on vending machine sales of tobacco products in public areas.
- A ban on the supply of therapeutic e-cigarettes (or vapes) to any person under 18.
- The introduction of a tobacco wholesale licence scheme to create a further barrier to the sale and supply of illicit products.
- The establishment of a process for determining that a person is ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence to sell or supply tobacco products.
- The introduction of interim and long-term closure arrangements as a mechanism for enforcing business closures in cases involving illegal tobacco and e-cigarette sales.
The State Government has been spearheading the fight against illegal tobacco and vapes, and their criminal enterprises, with a $16 million dedicated taskforce within Consumer and Business Services (CBS) coming into force on 1 July 2024.
Since July, more than $12 million worth of illicit tobacco and vapes has been seized.
Preventive Health SA Chief Executive Marina Bowshall said: "Nicotine is a dangerous and highly addictive chemical, so it is important that we act now to prevent the illegal sale of nicotine pouches which are often marketed towards children and young people.
"In a future proofing step, the laws that passed parliament in 2024 enable the banning of any new novel nicotine products that may emerge in the future."
Anyone, including young people, requiring support to quit smoking or vaping are encouraged to reach out to a health professional or call the Quitline on 137848 (13QUIT).
To report an illicit trader, visit the CBS website at www.cbs.sa.gov.au/tobacco
