The RIVM investigated the amount of nicotine that comes from nicotine sticks without tobacco. In these products, the amount of nicotine was 18 to 25 times higher than the value recommended by the RIVM. Above this value, no harmful effects of nicotine are expected.
Nicotine sticks resemble small cigarettes in appearance. They contain no tobacco, but do contain nicotine. Flavorings have also been added. It is a relatively new product: these sticks were first seen on the Dutch market in 2024. After heating with a corresponding heating device, the substances are released and inhaled by the user.
Requirements for Nicotine Products
Nicotine is harmful to health. Therefore, the Dutch government wants requirements to be set for nicotine products without tobacco for inhalation, such as a maximum for the amount of nicotine. These requirements are not yet in place. Due to the absence of tobacco, these products fall outside the European Tobacco Act. The RIVM has been asked by the Ministry of VWS Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport) to provide advice on the maximum amount of nicotine that may be released from the product. Above this value, health effects are expected with use, such as increased heart rate and irritation of the airways. The RIVM found that the nicotine in four examined variants of nicotine sticks is much higher than the advisory value.
Flavor Ban
In addition to research on the harmful effects caused by nicotine or tobacco, the RIVM is also researching the attractiveness of tobacco and/or nicotine products. Such as the research on flavors in e-cigarettes (vapes) based on which a ban on these flavors was imposed by VWS. The first research on the effect of this ban recently showed that 40 percent have reduced their use of e-cigarettes.