00:01Small, discreet and smoke-free, nicotine pouches are gaining ground in Portugal,
00:07even before clear rules for their sale have been established.
00:11They are placed between the gum and the lip and release nicotine without combustion.
00:16For months, these products were sold in tobacco shops and kiosks in a legal grey area.
00:21Tabaqueira began officially marketing nicotine pouches in Portugal this year
00:26after they were added to the list of tobacco and nicotine products subject to excise tax.
00:32The company argues that these alternatives are less harmful than conventional cigarettes.
00:38The nicotine products have to be regulated by all because the nicotine is addictive.
00:43The fundamental thing is that there is a regulation that allows to commercialize these products for the adult drinker,
00:49but also to safeguard that the men of age do not have access to these products
00:55and that these products are not applicable to this audience,
00:59which is not the target audience of these products.
01:01These are the adult drinkers who use the nicotine today,
01:05to give them an alternative with a differentiated impact for the traditional cigar.
01:10With flavors like mint, red berries or mango, these products raise concerns among public health experts
01:16who fear they may become more appealing to young people and non-smoking adults.
01:40Each pouch can contain nicotine levels equivalent to several traditional cigarettes.
01:45Although they do not contain tobacco, the potential for addiction remains as do the health risks.
01:52The effects in the brain are perhaps the most concerning,
01:56especially because those who are going to use these products are especially the children and the adolescents,
02:01and also the young adults.
02:02The nicotine prejudices the development of the brain,
02:06interferes with cognitive capabilities and causes changes in the behavior.
02:10Now the government is preparing new rules, advertising restrictions,
02:15sales limits and a ban on flavored products and colorful packaging.
02:19The intention is to regulate a booming market before it goes even further.
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