Uruguay is considering banning nicotine sachets

The Uruguayan Ministry of Public Health is currently studying the possibility of banning nicotine sachets by decree.[1]. These products, offered in a variety of flavors and designed to be placed under the upper lip, are available in Uruguay primarily through online purchases or imported from abroad. As with e-cigarettes, health experts warn of their highly addictive potential and the marketing strategies targeting new non-smoking consumers, particularly young people. At COP11, Uruguay reaffirmed its stance against new tobacco and nicotine products.

Concerns about nicotine sachets, easily accessible online

Nicotine pouches contain varying doses of nicotine, often around 8 mg, according to studies cited by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The American Lung Association indicates that the average consumption of half a box of nicotine pouches per day is equivalent to that of one to three packs of cigarettes per day.

Although officially not sold in physical stores in Uruguay, nicotine bag brands such as ZYN, Velo, Kadobar, Tacha, Pablo, and Fre are readily available online in the country. A box of 15 nicotine bags can be purchased online for approximately 750 to 800 Uruguayan pesos (€16.35 to €17.44). Travelers also import them, while media outlets such as Forbes and Reuters report that nicotine bag manufacturers are lobbying the Trump administration to expedite FDA approvals.

In Uruguay, there is no specific published data on these products, but the Ministry of Public Health observes that another nicotine product, electronic cigarettes, is popular among young people, particularly due to their colorful and sophisticated design and strong promotion on social media, despite a ban on their sale, use in enclosed public spaces, importation, advertising, promotion, and sponsorship in the country.[2].

Official Uruguayan data indicates that, with the decline in national smoking prevalence slowing, it appears necessary to take into account new trends in the consumption of new nicotine products.

Uruguay takes a global stance against tobacco and nicotine products

The issue was raised by Uruguay within the Mercosur Intergovernmental Tobacco Control Commission two months ago, in the context of preparatory discussions for the COP11 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in Geneva.

The Uruguayan representative, Cecilia Reolón, from the Tobacco Control Program, expressed concern about the arrival of nicotine sachets on the national market and told her partners that these products "« must be regulated, or even banned, by governments »She also stressed the need to strengthen controls on online tobacco sales and advertising.

At COP11, the Minister of Public Health, Cristina Lustemberg, stated that new nicotine products are being used by the industry to normalize nicotine consumption and that they contribute to the increase in addiction among young people. She emphasized the importance of "« to protect the progress made, to prevent any interference from industry, to ban products that fuel new addictions, and to apply a rights-based approach to protect children and adolescents »[3].

She points out that Uruguay has repealed two decrees from the previous administration of Luis Lacalle Pou's government that had relaxed regulations concerning tobacco packaging and the sale of heated tobacco products.« Regulations are being strengthened again [...] No distinction is made between heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. »"The Ministry of Public Health stated. Cristina Lustemberg further warned that electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products constitute a new generation of electronic waste, with batteries, metals, and non-biodegradable components that further exacerbate the environmental crisis.

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[1]Ramiro Pisabarro, Nicotine bags: an alternative to tobacco that concerns Uruguay and the MSP has assessed to prohibit, El Observador, published on November 19, 2025, accessed on November 21, 2025

[2]Tobacco Control Laws, Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction – Uruguay, Updated on March 4, 2020, accessed on November 21, 2025

[3]Organization Panamericana de la Salud, Uruguay reaffirms its global leadership in tobacco control at the start of COP11 in Ginebra, Published on November 18, 2025, accessed on November 21, 2025

National Committee Against Smoking |