Presenting IPSOS polling on Uzbekistan’s nicotine pouch ban

The Tholos Foundation has published new findings from IPSOS examining the public health impact of Uzbekistan’s proposed ban on nicotine pouches. The nationally representative survey of current pouch users reveals strong evidence that the ban may do more harm than good.

Key findings from the IPSOS survey:

• 66% of users turn to nicotine pouches for health-related reasons—primarily to reduce or quit smoking.
• 36% of users say they will switch to smoking if pouches are banned.
• One in five (20%) believe they will still find nicotine pouches on the black market.
• Nearly 3 in 4 (74%) agree pouches can help reduce smoking rates in Uzbekistan.
• Over half of consumers incorrectly believe nicotine pouches are as harmful as smoking—pointing to an urgent need for better public education.
• Almost two-thirds of respondents say the government should support less harmful alternatives, rather than banning them outright.
• The most popular alternative to prohibition? Stricter enforcement of underage access laws—supported by 59% of consumers.

These results should give pause to policymakers in Uzbekistan,” said Tim Andrews, Director of Consumer Issues at the Tholos Foundation. “Prohibiting access to reduced-risk alternatives will only push people back to cigarettes or into unregulated markets. Harm reduction must be the goal—not ideology.

Download the full report:

The results can be downloaded in English and in Russian:

Nicotine_Pouches_UZB-Read-Only
Узбекистан_Ник_Пэки

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For more information, please contact:
Tim Andrews, tandrews@tholosfoundation.org