According to the results of a commissioned survey by British American Tobacco France. French consumers have a relatively low awareness of nicotine bags, especially among the elderly. 39% of the respondents said they were not familiar with the product. Most consumers support the ban on minors purchasing such products and suggest strengthening supervision, such as increasing fines and establishing exclusive licenses. 68% of the respondents believe that adults can purchase nicotine bags, while 86% think that they should be banned from being sold to minors.
Key points:
- A commissioned survey by British American Tobacco France shows that nicotine bags are not well-known in France. About 40% of users said they were not familiar with the product, and one-third were unable to assess its health risks.
- 86% of the users support the ban on selling nicotine bags to minors. 68% support legal sales to adults.
- Concerns over the risks of minors’ consumption are widespread. Most respondents hope that law enforcement and penalties will be strengthened, especially fines for non-compliant merchants.
According to Harris-Interactive’s report on April 24th, Toluna Harris Interactive, commissioned by BAT France, will operate from March 20th to 24th, 2025. An online questionnaire survey was conducted among 1,096 French adults (aged 25 and above) who used Nicotine products at least once a week to assess their perception and opinions on tobacco alternatives, especially Nicotine Pouches. The samples were selected from a representative group of a total of 3,147 people and were allocated and weighted according to gender, age, social occupation category, geographical region and settlement size.
The awareness of nicotine bags is limited, and consumers’ opinions on them are differentiated
Although e-cigarettes, traditional tobacco and nicotine substitutes sold in pharmacies (such as chewing gum and patches) have a relatively good recognition and image among nicotine consumers (the positive recognition rate of the latter is 55%), the recognition level of nicotine bags is significantly lower. 39% of consumers said they were “not well-informed”, and among people aged 65 and above, this proportion was as high as 62%. Among people aged 25 to 34, the proportion is 25%.
Among consumers who have some knowledge of this product, opinions are divided into two camps: Some people think that nicotine bags are effective substitutes for quitting smoking or reducing harm; Another part holds reservations due to concerns about nicotine itself and the lack of long-term research data.
In the assessment of health risks compared with traditional cigarettes, 24% of the respondents believed that nicotine bags were “less harmful”, 30% thought they were “about the same”, and 33% were unable to make a judgment.
The issue of regulatory enforcement has become a focus of attention
For nicotine bag products that are not yet regulated, 66% of the respondents believe that their sale to minors should be prohibited. Meanwhile, 50% of the respondents believe that the existing regulations are “sufficient in themselves” but are poorly enforced.
55% of consumers have called for strengthened regulatory enforcement, especially against merchants who sell in violation of regulations. The current fine of 135 euros is considered too lenient by 46% of the respondents, and half of them believe that the fine should exceed 1,000 euros to enhance the deterrent effect.
Furthermore, the practice of restricting flavored products (such as fruit and mint flavors) has not received widespread support, and most people hold a negative attitude towards it.
Nicotine bags should be restricted to the adult market, and consumer support should introduce a licensing system
Regarding whether to allow sales, 68% of the respondents believe that the sale of nicotine bags to adults should be allowed, while 86% think that the sale to minors should be prohibited.
To prevent minors from coming into contact, 79% of the respondents support the establishment of exclusive sales licenses, referring to the current alcohol sales system.
Furthermore, 75% of the respondents supported imposing heavier penalties on merchants who sell nicotine products to minors or on adults who purchase them on their behalf. By contrast, only 57% support tax increases on related products, and 49% support the use of neutral packaging.
