The nicotine content in some tobacco-free smoking products is 18 to 25 times the maximum advisory amount, Dutch health institute RIVM has concluded following an investigation on behalf of the health ministry.

Introduced in the Netherlands in 2024, nicotine sticks do not contain tobacco and look like regular cigarettes but are flavoured and smoked via a special device like a vape.

As yet, there are no European rules to limit the amount of nicotine in nicotine products without tobacco. The RIVM recommends the legal limit to be the same as the existing limit for tobacco products.

The institute found that four types of nicotine sticks were significantly over the recommended limit, with harmful effects including an increased heart rate and irritation of the lungs.

Addiction is an added risk, Reinske Talhout, who was involved in the research, told broadcaster NOS.

The use of flavourings to make the product more attractive is also under scrutiny. Flavours are already banned in vapes and cigarettes.

Esther Croes, an expert on tobacco at public health institute Trimbos, said strict regulations are needed for products that contain nicotine but no tobacco. “Manufacturers have done this before, as with Swedish snus,” she said. “That also used no tobacco, but cellulose with nicotine.”

Croes is calling for a ban on new nicotine products entering the market. “Tomorrow they will use something else. We have already seen nicotine-infused toothpicks. None of this falls under tobacco legislation,” she said.

The Netherlands is currently struggling to deal with mounting vape addiction among teenagers.