Tobacco Asia

Tobacco Asia 13 Q&A THE TA SB: In Spain, GINN, through the Asociación Española de Bolsas de Nicotina [ABN], participates in consultations, contributes analysis on draft rules, and provides evidence on how different regulatory options would affect consumers, public health, and legitimate businesses. The focus is on arguing for category‑specific rules, covering nicotine limits, flavors, packaging, and youth protection, rather than blanket measures that effectively push consumers back to smoking or illicit markets. TA: Why is Spain such an important test case for nicotine pouches? SB: Spain is an important test case because it combines high smoking prevalence, a fast‑de‑ veloping pouch market, and a policy debate that is closely watched across the EU. The decisions Spain takes on classification, nicotine strengths, and marketing restrictions are likely to inform, or at least influence, how regulators in other EU member states treat pouches over the next few years TA: We jump to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region and the wider Middle East. There seem to be quite a few things happening in the region… SB: Yes, indeed there are. In Saudi Arabia and parts of the wider Middle East, nicotine pouches have moved from niche to recognized category status, supported by clearer import, retail, and product rules, so in many ways the region is way ahead of many European markets. For instance, several Gulf markets are actively refining frameworks that emphasize adult‑only sales, product quality, and controlled distribution, creating predictable environments for category growth – unlike in most of the EU. TA: That's most interesting; and where does GINN fit into this regional transformation? SB: GINN's role in this regional shift is to help shape those frameworks so that they remain risk‑proportionate, enforceable, and aligned with international best practice. This includes advising on standards, supporting local partners, and making sure regulators see pouches and other oral products as tools for harm reduction rather than as unregulated novelties. TA: How pronounced are the opportunities for oral nicotine elsewhere in Asia? SB: The opportunities for oral nicotine across Asia, specifically Central, South, Southeast, and East Asia, are substantial, with high smoking prevalence, rapid urbanization, and strong demand for discreet, smoke‑free products being the main drivers. Forecasts for the Asia‑Pacific pouch market point to robust growth from a relatively low base, suggesting significant room for responsibly regulated expansion. TA: Yet there are rocks strewn in the path. What are the concrete main barriers in Asian markets outside the Middle East? SB: The main barriers outside the Middle East are fragmented or unclear regulations, political sensitivity around nicotine, and the tendency to treat all non‑combustible products as if they posed the same risks [as conventional tobacco products]. In many Asian markets, limited category‑specific standards, weak enforcement against illicit products, and low public under‑ standing of harm reduction also make it harder for responsible companies to invest at scale. TA: Beyond pouches, what other oral formats is GINN watching? And why are these product segments relevant? SB: Beyond pouches, GINN is watching other oral formats such as dissolvable strips, lozenges, and novel oral delivery technologies that can offer controlled [nicotine] dosing and low toxicant exposure [e.g. nicotine inhalers]. These product segments matter because they can widen the menu of acceptable alternatives for different consumer groups and cultural contexts, while still fitting within a coherent, standards‑driven harm reduction framework. TA: Dwelling on this, what is GINN's message to policy makers in wider Asia on the one hand and regional indus- try leaders on the other? SB: Our message to Asian policy makers is that proportionate, evidence‑based frameworks for oral nicotine can reduce smoking harm without repeating [past] mistakes of over or under regulating new product categories. Meanwhile, our message to the regional industry is that long‑term success in Asia depends on embracing high standards, transparency, and consumer protection so that regulators as well as the public can have confidence in these products as genuine alternatives to smoking. For more information about GINN and its activities, visit www.ginn.global.

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