France urges the EU to ban inhaling white powder through the nose

The Minister of Health, Frédéric Valletoux, made a promise to put an end to the sale of a white powder called Sniffy, which was being sold in tobacco shops in France. The Ministry of Health took action by filing an order on June 3 with the European Commission to ban the sale of products intended to be inhaled through the nose. The order specifically targeted products sold in powder form for intranasal consumption without mentioning the Sniffy brand directly. The European Commission will need to make a decision based on this decree.

The decree stated that products sold in powder form for intranasal consumption could lead to confusion with narcotics and posed a danger to public health. The Ministry requested a recall of the products already on the market. The urgent measures were taken in response to concerns about the health of individuals, particularly minors, and public order.

Sniffy, marketed as a food supplement with energizing properties, was sold in tobacco shops and online. The product claimed to contain 90% natural ingredients and promised to help users stay awake and focused for up to 30 minutes. However, the sale of this product led to strong reactions from politicians and addiction prevention associations, who were concerned about the potential impact on young people. The product’s sweet flavors were especially criticized for potentially attracting younger consumers and normalizing the use of substances like cocaine.

Overall, the Ministry of Health’s decision to ban the sale of products meant for intranasal ingestion was a response to a growing concern about the health risks and potential consequences of such products being marketed and sold in France.