Shops at Mumbai airport operated by the Adani Group have been selling nicotine pouches, a product banned in India, according to a recent report. The sale contravenes the country's strict laws against unapproved nicotine products.
Banned Product Found at Major Airport
The report, published by Reuters, highlights that nicotine pouches—small packets placed in the mouth to deliver nicotine—were available for purchase at retail outlets within the Mumbai airport premises. India prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes and has only approved specific nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and chewing gums, which must undergo a registration process under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Nicotine pouches have not received any such approval and remain illegal.
Legal Framework and Violations
India's ban on e-cigarettes, enacted in 2019, extends to all devices and products that mimic smoking or deliver nicotine through inhalation. However, nicotine pouches, which are placed in the mouth and do not involve inhalation, fall under a regulatory grey area but are nonetheless considered illegal because they are not approved as a drug or nicotine replacement therapy. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act requires all nicotine-containing products intended for human use to be registered and approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Since nicotine pouches have not undergone this process, their sale is unlawful.
Adani Group's Response and Implications
The Adani Group, which operates the Mumbai airport through its subsidiary Adani Airport Holdings Limited, has not yet commented on the report. The revelation raises questions about compliance and oversight at one of India's busiest airports. The sale of such products could potentially lead to legal action and penalties under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, which prescribes imprisonment and fines for manufacturing, selling, or distributing unapproved drugs.
Public Health Concerns
Health experts warn that unregulated nicotine pouches pose risks, including addiction and potential adverse health effects. Unlike approved nicotine replacement therapies, which are designed to help people quit smoking, these pouches are often marketed as recreational products and may contain varying levels of nicotine and other chemicals. The lack of oversight means consumers have no guarantee of safety or quality.
