Nicotine Whispers: 2026 | Weeks 9 & 10
Alchem NicSelect™ Nicotine Whispers
Welcome to Nicotine Whispers – a biweekly news digest on global developments in nicotine and tobacco, compiled by Alchem NicSelect™ in collaboration with PharmaCompass.
Stay informed on the latest regulations, market trends, and insights shaping the NGND industry.
Weeks 9 and 10 Highlights:
Poland
Poland Considers Ban on Disposable Vapes and Restricts Nicotine Pouch Flavours
Poland is reviewing new tobacco legislation that would ban disposable e-cigarettes and allow only tobacco-flavoured nicotine pouches.
Portugal
PMI’s Tabaqueira to Launch Nicotine Pouches in Portugal in 2026
Following Portugal’s decision to include nicotine pouches in its excise tax framework, PMI’s subsidiary Tabaqueira plans a soft launch in two stores before expanding sales nationwide. The move comes as regulatory clarity opens the market and the government projects higher tobacco tax revenues.
UK
UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill Passes House of Lords
The UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill has cleared its third reading in the House of Lords and now returns to the House of Commons with minor amendments. The legislation aims to strengthen tobacco and vape regulation, with further rules on flavours, advertising and vape-free zones to be defined in secondary legislation.
USA
FDA Signals Openness to More Adult-Focused Vape Flavours
The US FDA has proposed new guidance that could allow e-cigarettes in mint, coffee, tea and spice flavours aimed at adult smokers, while maintaining a ban on fruit and candy flavours linked to youth use. The move seeks to balance harm-reduction goals with stronger enforcement against the large illicit vape market.
Ireland
Ireland Introduces Bill to Restrict Vape Flavours and Regulate Nicotine Pouches
Ireland’s 2026 Nicotine Bill proposes limiting vape flavours to tobacco only while banning nicotine pouch sales to under-18s. The legislation also introduces strict rules on retail displays, advertising, and product design to reduce youth appeal.
UK
Haypp Exits UK Vape Market to Focus on Nicotine Pouches
Online retailer Haypp is leaving the UK vape category to concentrate on nicotine pouches, citing rapid growth in pouch demand. The company says many new pouch customers are switching from vapes, signalling a potential shift in the alternative nicotine market.
Spain
Spain’s PSOE Proposes Restrictions on Vape and Nicotine Pouch Sales
Spain’s ruling PSOE party has proposed banning online sales of vapes and nicotine pouches and limiting their distribution to authorised specialist stores. The initiative aims to tighten market control and address concerns over tax evasion and regulatory compliance.
Germany
Germany’s Proposed Cooling-Agent Ban Could Limit Vape Flavours
Germany is considering a regulation that would ban menthol and other synthetic cooling agents in e-liquids, a move critics say could amount to a de facto flavour ban. Opponents warn the proposal may undermine harm-reduction efforts and push users back to cigarettes or illicit products.