Is the UK's King Charles pro Nicotine Pouch?

Nathan Chilcott

The Law

The British Royal family are known across the world, everything they say and do is scrutinised. The King’s role is largely symbolic, but what the King and his family say still carries a lot of weight. In short, people listen. That makes it worth looking closer at what King Charles has said about a smokefree future, what that means for tobacco sales, and whether he is pro nicotine pouches.

The Speech That Started It All

Early in November 2023, King Charles confirmed government legislation to raise the age limit for purchasing tobacco. The new law ensures no one under the age of 15 can legally be sold tobacco products when they legally become an adult. The legislation covers all products containing tobacco, including cigarettes and vapes. It’s not just the sale of tobacco products which is affected. The King has also indicated measures will be taken to curb the advertisement of tobacco products.

What The King Hopes To Achieve

By limiting access to tobacco, King Charles is hoping to create a smokefree generation. The majority of people start smoking before they are 21 and regret it later in life. By progressively targeting tobacco, it is possible to create a generation of non-smokers, helping non-smoking to become the norm. Not all vaping products contain tobacco but vapes are also going to be targeted. The King and the UK government are looking at ways to stop children from vaping while encouraging adults to use vapes to help them quit smoking. If successful, the British government will be better off. Studies show that smoking costs the UK approximately £17 billion every year. Much of this is healthcare and a loss of productivity. That’s significantly more than the £10 billion raised in the annual taxation of tobacco products. The aim is to improve the health of the next generation and reduce the burden on the UK National Healthcare System.

King Charles Stance On Nicotine Pouches

King Charles has not issued a definitive statement regarding his position on nicotine pouches. This could be because they are relatively new to the market and, therefore, lesser-known.

"Nicotine pouches don’t contain tobacco.”

Most medical professionals agree that cigarette smoke is the primary cause of cancer, not nicotine. This is the reason King Charles, and many others, are so keen on a smokefree future. While the King doesn’t directly support nicotine pouches, he also isn’t directly against them. Pouches are discrete, allow people to enjoy nicotine, and maintain freedom of choice. At this stage, there is no proposed legislation to restrict the sale of nicotine pouches. The lack of talk by the King and others about nicotine pouches can be taken as a sign that these products will continue to be acceptable. That makes it a good time to switch from traditional tobacco to pouches.

Summing Up

Public health is a concern and one of the main reasons King Charles is pushing for a smokefree generation. Fortunately, nicotine pouches are already smokefree and, therefore, represent a perfect opportunity to enjoy nicotine without breaking the law.