Nicotine Pouch News This Week: PMI Patent Drop, EU Moves and India Crackdown (October 2026)

It has been a busy week for the nicotine pouch industry. A major patent was dropped, Brussels is still arguing about tobacco tax, Spain softened a proposed nicotine cap, and India told its states to crack down on pouch sales. Here is a plain-English roundup of what happened between mid-September and 2 October 2026, and what it could mean for the nicotine pouches you buy and the price you pay.

PMI Drops a European Pouch Patent After a BAT Challenge

On 30 September 2026, Nicotine Insider reported that Philip Morris International (the owner of ZYN) relinquished European patent EP 4 000 424, titled "Nicotine pouch composition". The patent was filed in November 2020 and granted in November 2022. British American Tobacco, the company behind VELO, had challenged it.

The patent described pouches made with non-tobacco particulate material, a nicotine source, set moisture levels, pH-adjusting agents and certain divalent inorganic salts. The goal was a fast-release period during the first two minutes, followed by a sustained release.

What does this mean for you? In practice, it removes one legal barrier for other manufacturers working on similar designs in Europe. That is not a guarantee of cheaper cans tomorrow, but more room for competitors is generally good news for shoppers who care about price and choice. Brands such as VELO, LOOP and XQS already compete hard on strength and flavour.

BAT Bets Big: Pouch Revenue to Triple by 2030

The same week, BAT set out its growth plans. It expects nicotine pouch industry revenue to triple between 2025 and 2030, while overall nicotine industry revenue grows by only about 4% over the same period.

BAT also reported that its Modern Oral business made £1.17 billion in 2025, up 47.4%, helped by the US rollout of Velo Plus. Its New Categories business is targeting mid-teens revenue growth through 2030.

For European buyers, the signal is simple: the big players are investing heavily in pouches. Expect more flavours, more strengths and more promotions as they fight for market share.

EU Moves: Premarket Checks and a Stalled Tax Reform

On the policy side, the European Parliament backed calls on 16 September for mandatory premarket health impact evaluations for novel nicotine and tobacco products, alongside tighter controls on flavours, nicotine content and marketing, according to Tobacco Intelligence. This is a parliamentary position, not a binding law. The European Commission's own page on the Tobacco Products Directive revision explains how the process works.

On tax, Tobacco Intelligence described the EU tobacco tax overhaul on 1 October as stalled, with member states divided over how far Brussels should go in harmonising taxes on tobacco and novel nicotine products. An earlier briefing listed a ministerial debate at ECOFIN on 9 October. A stalled reform means no sudden EU-wide tax hike on pouches for now, but the debate is far from over.

Spain Softens Its Proposed Nicotine Cap

Spain's government raised its proposed nicotine limit for pouches from 0.99 mg to 4 mg per pouch in a revised draft decree sent to the Council of State for review. Pouch Patrol notes it is unclear whether the proposal will be adopted in its current form, and that the draft would still prohibit non-tobacco flavours.

That means nothing changes today for Spanish customers. If you are in Spain, read our Spain legal and buying guide for the current picture.

India Orders a Crackdown on Pouch Sales

Outside Europe, Reuters reported on 25 September that India's government had directed states to take enforcement action against nicotine pouch sales. The health ministry's advisory, dated 18 September on the ministry's own site (Reuters reported the letter to states on 19 September), said pouches were increasingly available online and offline, with particular concern about exposure among children. India's Drugs Technical Advisory Board, at its 27 August meeting (minutes published 16 September), recommended that no new nicotine formulation be approved.

This does not affect orders shipped within the EU, but it shows how quickly rules can change from one market to the next. Always check your local rules before you order.

The US Picture: Faster Approvals, More Competition

In the United States, the FDA authorized 11 new ZYN nicotine pouch products on 21 August 2026 through the premarket tobacco product application pathway. Late September also brought a streamlined FDA tobacco registration process. These are US developments, but they shape what the big brands launch next, and many of those ideas end up in Europe later.

What This Week's News Means for Buyers

The practical advice is the same as always: stock up on your favourites while the range is wide and prices are competitive. Our outlet deals are a good place to start, and bulk orders over €99 ship free within the EU. Popular picks include ZYN, ZEUS, C.R.E.A.M and KUMA.

How to Read Regulatory Headlines Without Panic

Nicotine pouch headlines often sound dramatic, but most of them describe proposals, consultations or drafts rather than finished law. A quick checklist helps you tell the difference.

1. Who is speaking? A parliament vote, a ministry draft and a binding directive carry very different weight.
2. Is it adopted? Look for words like "draft", "proposal", "under review" or "consultation". Those mean nothing has changed yet.
3. When would it apply? Even adopted rules usually come with a transition period, which gives retailers and customers time to adjust.
4. Does it apply where you live? A rule in India, Australia or the US has no effect on an order delivered inside the EU.

Using this checklist, almost everything in this week's roundup falls into the "watch, but don't panic" bucket. The EU tax reform is stalled, the Parliament position is not law, Spain's decree is a draft, and the patent news is a business story rather than a consumer rule.

What to Watch Over the Next Few Weeks

• The EU TPD revision: a Commission proposal is the next big milestone. Any move on flavours, nicotine limits or premarket checks will shape the European market.
• ECOFIN discussions: ministers have a tobacco tax debate on the calendar, and the outcome decides whether pouches face a harmonised EU tax.
• Spain's Council of State opinion: it will show whether the 4 mg cap and the flavour restrictions survive.
• New launches from the big brands: with BAT and PMI both investing heavily, new strengths and flavours from ZYN, VELO and others are likely.

We update our guides as soon as something becomes official, so you can plan your orders with real information rather than rumours. If you want the wider background, our earlier Europe news and regulation overview covers the bans and rules already in force.

FAQ: Nicotine Pouch News and Regulation

Are nicotine pouches being banned in the EU?

There is no EU-wide ban. Rules are set mostly by each member state, and the Tobacco Products Directive is under revision. The Parliament has asked for tighter controls and premarket checks, but a final proposal has not been agreed.

Will the PMI patent news change prices?

Not directly. Dropping one European patent removes a barrier for competitors, but pricing depends on many other factors. Treat it as a long-term positive for choice rather than a short-term price cut.

Is Spain's 4 mg cap final?

No. It is a revised draft decree under review by the Council of State, and it is unclear if it will be adopted as proposed.

Should I stock up before any rule changes?

Nothing in this week's news is in force for EU customers, so there is no need to rush. If you use pouches daily, ordering in bulk is still the cheapest way to buy, and orders over €99 ship free within the EU.

Does the India crackdown affect European orders?

No. It applies to India. Rules vary by country, so check what is allowed where you live before ordering.

Final Thoughts

This week's headlines point in two directions: the industry is investing heavily in pouches, while regulators keep debating how to control them. For now, the EU range remains wide and competitive. Check the best nicotine pouches of 2026 at The Snus Outlet and enjoy free EU shipping on orders over €99.