ADDICTIVE pouches being given out for free in the middle of a busy Scottish train station is “alarming”, a charity boss has warned.
Velo, a nicotine pouch brand owned by British American Tobacco, operates a stand in Glasgow Central and asks passers-by if they smoke or vape.
A National staff member enquired at the stand and found an easy process to get the sample, even after telling the staff that they didn’t use nicotine and intended to try the product.
After handing over their name, email and date of birth, they were given a free sample of their tins, which contain 6mg of nicotine per pouch.
The staff did not warn of any health risks involving the product, nor asked if an individual has pre-existing conditions that may make them more susceptible to such risks.
The laws are so lax regarding nicotine pouches in the UK that technically the products can legally be sold to those under the age of 18.
Ash Scotland reported: “A health risk assessment on nicotine pouches by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment concluded that the main risk of using nicotine pouches is the high levels of nicotine which has strong effects on the cardiovascular system.”
Pouches also present high risks for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with cardiovascular disease.”
Sheila Duffy, chief executive of health charity Ash Scotland, said: “It is alarming to see the promotion of recreational nicotine products in locations which are highly visible to children and young people.
“With nicotine addiction increasing among our young people, it is vital that the visibility and availability of nicotine products is tackled. Ash Scotland welcomes the strong measures in the UK Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill which proposes to restrict the advertising and promotions of nicotine pouches and vapes to protect the health of children now and of future generations.”
In response to the placement of the nicotine stand, Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and products such as nicotine pouches should never be used by children, young people or non-smokers.
“The UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill, if passed, will restrict free distribution and advertising of these products.”
British American Tobacco, which owns Velo, said: “We are clear that our tobacco and nicotine products are for adults only and should never be used by those who are underage.
“Through our Responsible Marketing Principles and Code, Velo’s marketing complies with all applicable laws.
“Our guidelines also clearly mandate that product is only offered to adult nicotine consumers, so no members of the public are provided free samples if they currently do not use any nicotine products.
“We have also been actively calling for regulation including a minimum age of sale.
“Since launching Velo in 2019, we have also championed an industry code of conduct, which imposes restrictions on nicotine pouch packaging designs and communications.”
Even though the pouches do contain nicotine, they do not fall under Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) and instead come under General Products Safety Regulations 2005 (GPSR).
This means the regulations surrounding the pouches are less strict in regards to strength and packaging.
A spokesperson for Network Rail, which operates Glasgow Central Station, said: “We understand Ash’s concerns around promoting products appropriately and staff working on this stall have been instructed not to engage with anyone who is under 25 while working in the station.”
