Cyprus Bans Snus: Police Conduct Raids on Sales Points

The sale of nicotine pouches, commonly known as snus, has been banned in Cyprus. Police and pharmaceutical authorities are carrying out inspections to prevent the illegal product from reaching store shelves.

Speaking on the Alpha News program, Elena Panayotopoulou, Director of the Pharmaceutical Services, confirmed that the sale of these pouches is illegal on the island. The Cyprus Council of Medicines made and published this decision on October 2, due to the extremely high levels of nicotine found in the product. Anyone caught selling snus will be held accountable.

According to Panayotopoulou, snus is mostly sold by young people or in shops, rather than pharmacies, as the product is not classified as a medicine and does not fall under any specific regulation.

She also mentioned that if manufacturers wish, they "can apply for the registration of snus as a medicinal product, which would allow it to be sold under strict regulation, exclusively through pharmacies."

Snus users place the nicotine pouches under their tongue. Its consumption can lead to fainting, vomiting, gastrointestinal issues, dizziness, and severe allergic reactions.