Nicotine sticks resemble small cigarettes but do not contain tobacco. They do contain nicotine and added flavourings. A relatively new product, nicotine sticks first appeared on the Dutch market in 2024. Substances are released after heating with a dedicated device and are then inhaled by the user.

Requirements for nicotine products

Nicotine is harmful to health. For this reason, the Dutch government wants to introduce requirements, such as a maximum limit for the amount of nicotine in emission, for nicotine products without tobacco that are intended for inhalation. These requirements have not yet been introduced. This is because these products fall outside the scope of the European Tobacco Products Directive, as they do not contain tobacco. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport asked RIVM to recommend a maximum amount of nicotine emitted from these products. Exceeding this limit is expected to lead to health effects in users, such as an increased heart rate and irritation of the airways. RIVM found that the nicotine content of four of the tested variants is substantially higher than the recommended value.

Ban on flavours

In addition to studying the harmful effects of nicotine and tobacco, RIVM also investigates the appeal of tobacco and/or nicotine products. For example, previous research into flavours in e-cigarettes (vapes) led the Ministry implementing a ban on these flavours. An initial study on the impact of this ban shows that 40 per cent of users have reduced their e-cigarette use.