
From today, October 1, nicotine pouches – known as snus – can only be bought and used in the state of Styria by those over 18.
This change comes after an amendment to Styria’s Youth Protection Act, passed by the regional parliament in early July following a motion by the Green Party. Until September 30, the legal age for consumption was 16.
Salzburg has enforced a similar law since 1st June, and Upper Austria and Tyrol have long had explicit bans on nicotine pouches. However, addiction experts argue that the new rules don’t go far enough.
Originating in Sweden, snus is a tobacco product in a small pouch, like a tea bag, which is placed under the lip to release nicotine into the bloodstream.