Tourists could get caught out by tough new legislation
Holidaymakers heading to France are being warned about strict new rules that could result in on-the-spot fines of up to €500. France remains one of the most popular destinations for UK travellers, but a nationwide ban on oral nicotine products, which came into force on April 1, 2026, is expected to catch out many visitors.
A spokesman for tobacco product retailer Northerner said: “Under the new law, nicotine pouches and similar oral nicotine products are completely banned in France. Despite objections from many European countries, the ban includes the sale, import, possession, and use of oral nicotine products, meaning holidaymakers could fall foul of the law just by having pouches in their possession.
“Possible consequences include fines, which some sources suggest can be around €100–€500+ on the spot, and potentially criminal penalties. If you’re going to France, don’t pack nicotine pouches at all.
“Any products containing nicotine (synthetic or natural), packaged for sale, and designed for oral use are included within the ban. This includes non-medicinal pouches, gums, lozenges, beads, pastes, strips, and liquids. The ban does not apply to smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco.”
Separate from the pouch ban, France is also tightening smoking rules. Smoking is banned in many outdoor public areas such as beaches, parks, areas near schools, outdoor sports venues, and bus stops. Fines for breaking these rules are typically around €90–€135, rising to much higher amounts if unpaid.
Markus Lindblad, Head of External Affairs from Northerner, said: “France still has an exceptionally high smoking rate, around 23% compared to about 12% in the UK. Nicotine pouches are an effective alternative to cancer-causing cigarettes, so completely banning them removes the option for French smokers.
“Absurdly, this ban doesn’t include chewing tobacco, which is known to be cancer-causing. If the French government’s goal really is to improve public health, then given the harms we know are caused by alcohol, it would actually make much more sense for them to ban champagne rather than nicotine pouches. We want to see strong regulation of nicotine pouches, not total prohibition.”
