Oregon Expands Tobacco Rules June 5 to Block Youth Sales of Nicotine Pouches and Lozenges

On June 5, the “tobacco products” definition in Oregon comes into operation, banning underage sales of oral nicotine pouches, lozenges, other emerging nicotine products, to prevent youth nicotine addiction.

More Tobacco Products Banned From June 5 Under New OHA Definition

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Oregon, accounting for 8,000 deaths annually.

Many tobacco products are sold in flavors marketed as cool mint, citrus burst, refreshing chill and wild berry and a national study showed that 80% of youth who ever used a tobacco product started with a flavored product. Nicotine pouches are the fastest-growing product on the U.S. tobacco market.

A 2025 OHA Tobacco Prevention and Education Program conducted statewide in tobacco retail assessment to examine tobacco availability, advertising, marketing and promotion across 1,147 Oregon retail outlets found that 65% of tobacco retailers offered price promotions, including 43% promoting oral nicotine products.

One product in particular, Zyn, had the lowest advertised price of any tobacco or nicotine product assessed, averaging just $5.60, driving increasing popularity among youth, often the most price-sensitive consumers.

In 2024, oral nicotine pouches became the second most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students.

Nearly 90% of people who smoke start before they turn 18, and teenagers’ developing brains are vulnerable to the highly addictive nicotine in tobacco products. But the trend has been effectively outlawed.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) yesterday reminded Oregon’s 3,700 tobacco retailers that a new state law expanding the definition of tobacco products is law starting tomorrow.

Only over 21’s can buy tobacco products and inhalant delivery systems in Oregon and nationwide, and Senate Bill 1571, signed into law in March, expands the state’s definition of tobacco products to include oral nicotine pouches, lozenges, gum and other nicotine products, whether they’re naturally or synthetically made.

Oregon’s tobacco regulations now align with federal law to reduce youth access to addictive nicotine products. Oral nicotine products will be regulated similarly to cigarettes and inhalant delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes or vapes.