10.09.2024 On 19 September, the InterTabac trade fair begins in Dortmund’s Westfalenhallen, run by a subsidiary of the city of Dortmund. Not only will tobacco, cigarettes, e-cigarettes and the like be promoted here but also nicotine pouches and snus which are not allowed to be marketed in Germany.
The tobacco fair in Dortmund, which has been organised annually for decades with few exceptions, runs grossly against the objectives of tobacco prevention as defined in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). According to the FCTC, the supply and marketing of tobacco products should be restricted wherever possible. Instead, a city-owned company is involved in the marketing and thus makes a profit – at the expense of consumer health.
Meanwhile, InterTabac even trades in non-marketable or even banned products: Nicotine pouches and snus.
Nicotine pouches are also known as nicotine pillows or, incorrectly, ‘snus’: These flavoured small pouches, filled with cellulose and usually with nicotine added, are placed under the lip and the active ingredients they contain are then dissolved with the saliva. Nicotine pouches fall under the so-called novel food regulation and should have EU authorisation, but this is not the case. They are therefore not marketable in Germany.
Real snus is a nicotine-containing tobacco product, often flavoured. It is also placed under the lip to release its active ingredients. The marketing of the tobacco product snus is strictly prohibited in all EU countries except Sweden.
Nevertheless, an event called ‘PouchXChange’ is planned for 20 September as part of the tobacco trade fair. The organisers say: ‘Take the opportunity to get into conversation, find out more about the latest pouches and snus products from around the world, make valuable new contacts and find potential buyers in a relaxed atmosphere.’
The Dortmund public order office, whose position we asked about this, among other things, stated that it had banned the sale of snus and nicotine pouches, even in very small quantities, in 2023. Furthermore, they do not consider the ‘mere presentation’ of these products to be illegal. However, if PouchXChange is merely a presentation, this prominently advertised event will have failed its purpose. In fact, it is about advertising and marketing products that are not marketable in this country.
InterTabac is the exact opposite of tobacco prevention: The city of Dortmund promotes the sale of tobacco and nicotine consumption products, the NRW Ministry of Health promises a ‘generous interpretation’ when it comes to setting up smoking areas and the Westfalenhallen Dortmund tolerates marketing activities for snus and nicotine pouches,
says Pro Rauchfrei board member Stephan Weinberger, commenting:
A city-owned facility profits from the tobacco trade. The taxpayer bears the costs of smoking which result from illness, di disablement and death.