Authorities have seized more than 3,700 nicotine pouches in the past two and a half years, as the products continue to circulate on the market despite having no legal authorisation for sale, according to customs department data released on Thursday.

A total of 3,728 nicotine sachets were confiscated between November 2023 and early March 2026 through inspections of postal shipments, retail premises and travellers entering the country.

The figures highlight the scale of a market operating largely outside the formal regulatory framework, even as a proposed law seeks to bring the products under tobacco control legislation.

Customs records show that the majority of seizures occurred in postal and courier deliveries, where 1,950 nicotine pouches were intercepted.

Another 1,533 were found in shops, 235 were discovered in passengers’ luggage and ten were identified at transit points.

The data indicates that the products are entering Cyprus through several routes, from online purchases to physical retail distribution.

Authorities have also struggled to trace the origin of many of the products.

Of the total seized, 1,435 originated from EU countries and 928 from third countries, while the source of 1,365 remained unknown.

Officials say the lack of traceability raises concerns about production standards and supply chains.

Nicotine pouches are small sachets placed under the lip that release nicotine without tobacco combustion.

Because they do not produce smoke, they can be used discreetly, a characteristic that authorities say has contributed to their growing presence on the market.

Under current legislation in Cyprus, nicotine pouches are classified as pharmaceutical products.

As such, they require marketing authorisation from the pharmaceutical services before they can be legally sold.

No such licence has been granted to date, meaning any product found on the market is considered illegal.

Despite this classification, the products continue to appear periodically in retail outlets and through online orders.

Officials say this situation has created enforcement challenges, as demand persists while a clear regulatory framework has yet to be established.

The issue is now before parliament, with a bill submitted by Diko MP Chrysis Pantelidis being examined by the House health committee, seeking to regulate nicotine pouches by incorporating them into existing smoking control legislation.

Pantelidis argues that the current situation leaves authorities with limited tools to manage a market that already exists.

“If nicotine pouches are going to circulate, pretending they are medicines that no one will license, simply hands the market to smugglers and unregulated imports,” he has previously said.

The proposed legislation would subject nicotine pouches to the same restrictions that apply to tobacco products, including a clear prohibition on sales to minors.

Violations could carry penalties of up to €2,000 and imprisonment for up to six months, with enforcement carried out by health services inspectors, the police and other authorised officers.

Concerns have intensified in recent months as educators report incidents involving students using nicotine products in schools.

Teachers and school principals say cases of pupils fainting have been reported, sometimes involving nicotine gums, pouches or vaping devices that can be used discreetly without attracting attention.

Health experts warn that nicotine is rapidly absorbed orally when using pouches.

In high concentrations the substance may cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat and severe discomfort, while fainting episodes have also been reported.

Due to the fact that products currently circulating in the market lack official approval, authorities say there is no guarantee regarding the composition of their nicotine content.