Moldova grapples with nicotine pouch sales amid health warnings and regulatory dispute

Moldovan authorities and public health advocates are raising alarms over the circulation of nicotine pouches, warning parents of the health risks they pose to children and adolescents. The Ministry of Education and Research launched an informational campaign cautioning that the colorful packaging of oral nicotine products can easily be mistaken for candy, reiterating that sales to minors are illegal.

At the same time, reporting highlights regulatory tensions surrounding the product's legal status. Tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris introduced nicotine pouches to the domestic market, interpreting statutory timelines to assert that commercial sales remain permissible until June 2027 despite legislated bans. Public health officials continue to stress the developmental dangers of nicotine exposure among youth, intensifying calls for strict enforcement of market restrictions.

Sources: Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă