According to the Oregon Capital Chronicle, the Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 1571 (Senate Bill 1571) by a vote of 26 to 1, aiming to fill the regulatory gap in the state law regarding nicotine pouch products.
This bill was proposed by Democratic Senator Lisa Reynolds from Portland. According to the content of the bill, Oregon will redefine the legal scope of “tobacco products”, including nicotine pouch products. This move means that nicotine pouches will be subject to the same tobacco sales regulatory framework as traditional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, including the explicit prohibition of sales to people under the age of 21, thus aligning with federal laws.
Currently, the laws of Oregon do not classify nicotine pouches as tobacco products. This difference in definition allows some retailers to sell these products without holding a tobacco retail license, and the restrictions on sales locations are also relatively less. Supporters of the bill believe that this regulatory disparity creates what is called a “gap”, making nicotine pouches more accessible to teenagers at the retail level.
Reynolds pointed out during the debate that nicotine patches can be used by placing them between the teeth and the lips. They are smoke-free, have no obvious smell, and are not easily detectable. She stated that the use of such products among young people is expanding, and if no legislative adjustments are made to the regulatory framework, the situation where teenagers come into contact with these products may continue to increase.
Related studies have also been cited to support the legislative rationale. A study conducted by the University of Southern California revealed that the number of teenagers reporting the use of nicotine pouches in 2024 was twice that of 2023. The advocacy group believes that the product’s concealment and the availability of various flavors are some of the reasons for the increase in usage among teenagers.
It is reported that over 70 individuals and groups have submitted written opinions, including representatives from local public health departments and advocacy organizations concerned with issues related to teenagers. The majority of them expressed their support. Supporters believe that nicotine pouch products should be subject to the same sales regulatory standards as cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
The bill had previously been unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. However, the revised version of the bill has a more lenient stance compared to the original version. The original proposal included a clause that would have prohibited the online sale of all Oregon tobacco products and required all sales to be conducted face-to-face, but this clause was removed during the revision process.
Currently, SB 1571 has been submitted to the Oregon House of Representatives for review.