The Dutch health institute RIVM has discovered that some tobacco-free nicotine sticks contain 18 to 25 times the recommended nicotine levels. This finding follows an investigation conducted on behalf of the health ministry.

Introduced in the Netherlands in 2024, these nicotine sticks resemble regular cigarettes but lack tobacco. Instead, they are flavored and used with a device similar to a vape.

Currently, no European regulations exist to control the nicotine content in tobacco-free nicotine products. The RIVM advocates for aligning the legal limit with that of traditional tobacco products.

The study identified four types of nicotine sticks that significantly exceeded the recommended limit. Potential health consequences include increased heart rate and lung irritation.

Reinske Talhout, a researcher involved in the study, highlighted the risk of addiction associated with these products.

The use of flavorings to enhance the product’s appeal is also raising concerns, especially since flavors are already prohibited in vapes and cigarettes.

Esther Croes, a tobacco expert at the Trimbos Institute, emphasizes the necessity for strong regulations on nicotine products without tobacco. She draws a parallel to Swedish snus, which uses cellulose with nicotine instead of tobacco.

Croes is urging a ban on the introduction of new nicotine products to the market, citing examples such as nicotine-infused toothpicks that currently evade tobacco legislation.

The Netherlands is grappling with a growing issue of vape addiction among teenagers, adding urgency to the need for stricter regulations.