In August 2025, the government amended the Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products Regulations to exempt smokeless heated tobacco products from the smokeless tobacco ban, and a month later assigned them an excise duty. This regulatory action marks a pivotal moment, as it demonstrates the government’s willingness to create a distinct legal and fiscal framework for certain smokeless tobacco alternatives, which could pave the way for a similar re-evaluation of oral tobacco products.
Nicotine pouches are not regulated by existing tobacco legislation, therefore they are subject to general consumer safety rules.
This report provides a detailed analysis of the current regulatory framework in place in Malta for oral tobacco and nicotine pouches, covering all policy areas from taxation and advertising to labelling and market access.
