This toxin-containing consignment falls foul of chemical labelling regulations as the information on the packets is in Spanish, which is why they have been detained as the only power at Trading Standards’ disposal.
Unlike with vapes (20mg/ml is the legal maximum in the UK), there is currently no legislation in this country governing the levels of nicotine in the pouches nor who can buy them meaning children could get hold of these products, some of which have been tested and shown to contain 50mg of nicotine, five times that of a cigarette and a level that could lead to nicotine poisoning.
Much less than that creates an addiction that was not there before.
One of the consignment - the Ice Cold nicopods inspired by the Colombian drug lord Pablo-Escoba
The nicotine pouches also come in a range of flavours like cola, and strawberry watermelon which could lead to confusion with food, and some branding is clearly designed to appeal to young people.
As well as the work at the border nearly 4,000 of these sachets have been seized from high streets in Kent over the past 12 months thanks to the proactive activities of the Vapes Team, a collaboration between Kent Trading Standards, Kent Public Health to drive compliance among shopkeepers, encourage the community to share their concerns, and shut the door on supplies to children.
Kent Trading Standards Operations Manager Jim Whiddett commends responsible retailers who are abiding by a voluntary code and not selling the pouches to children but said new legislation will be most welcome.
Kent Trading Standards' Operations Manager Jim Whiddett
He added: “A pouch might be dangerous or harmful to someone, depending on how they take it or how many they take. The Government has said it’s looking at new legislation and that’s something we would welcome because it would help to support consumers to make an informed decision and empower retailers.
“There are certain things on the labels the consumers should be looking out for. What our teams are finding at the moment in those products we are removing from the marketplace is they won't have instructions for use, and they won't be in English. They won't have the certain warnings pictograms on the labels that you should be seeing, an exclamation mark, then the skull and crossbones when the nicotine in a product goes above 1.7% or 17mg. There is also a requirement for a tactile raised triangle to alert visually impaired consumers of the risk.
Some of the pallets of nicotine pouches
“So, if you're seeing some information on a product that it contains nicotine, then you should be looking for the warnings as well. And if it's not there, then it's a good indication that that's not a genuine product.”
The pouches are about the size of the chewing gum pieces you can buy in tubs, but they are tiny rectangular teabags that contain a white powder infused with nicotine and are designed to go under the lip. They do not contain tobacco; oral tobacco products were banned in the UK more than 30 years.
“We urgently need the Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill to become law to tighten up regulations and make sickening under-age sales tactics illegal.”
Kent County Council Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, said: “Some legal nicotine products have a part to play in helping adult smokers quit cigarettes – but they aren’t risk free and if you don’t smoke, they are not for you. They are particularly unsuitable for young people whose bodies are still growing and more impacted by nicotine’s highly addictive effects.
“Illegal or largely unregulated nicotine products are a greater risk to health – they may not be correctly labelled or carry clear safety guidelines. It means you don’t know what is in them, what to do if you swallow one, or how many it is safe to have, and they could make you ill. Reported side effects range from becoming anxious and jittery and having heart palpitations to vomiting and bleeding gums.
“It is very concerning novel nicotine products like pouches, as with vapes, can be designed and marketed in a range of flavours and bright packaging specifically to appeal to children, and also that our Trading Standards Team are detecting such high volumes of illicit versions of these goods coming into the UK.
“Kent Trading Standards are working hard to keep these dangerous products from reaching consumers, some of whom are extremely vulnerable and unaware of the serious risks to their health – but we urgently need the Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill to become law to tighten up regulations and make sickening under-age sales tactics illegal.”
Further information
If you have any concerns about the vapes or nicotine products being sold in your community, please email the Vape Team who want to hear from you. The address is: vape@kent.gov.uk
