Updating Ohio’s tobacco policy to address nicotine pouch use

Nicotine dependence is a leading driver of poor health outcomes in Ohio. Decades of state and local policies, such as Tobacco 21, have contributed to improvement in Ohio’s smoking rate. However, as several new and emerging tobacco products enter the market in Ohio, there is a need for updated policies to prevent nicotine-related harms.

Use of oral nicotine pouches, also known as ONPs or white snus, is becoming more common. They are small, often flavored, dissolvable packets that users place under their lips to absorb nicotine through the gums. This policy explainer highlights what is known and unknown about nicotine pouch use in Ohio and describes current policy surrounding nicotine pouches.

Gaps in state policy

There are significant gaps in Ohio’s tobacco-related policies as newer products, such as nicotine pouches, emerge. For example:

• The Ohio tobacco excise tax does not include ONPs. Tobacco taxes are an important prevention strategy. In 2025, tobacco taxes also were about 2% of Ohio’s total tax collections (equivalent to $714,022,000). Fifteen states currently tax ONPs containing both tobacco-derived and non-tobacco nicotine.
• The 2020-2025 Strategic Plan for a Tobacco Free Ohio, Ohio’s most-recent tobacco control plan, does not mention ONPs.
•  State preemption of tobacco control is an open question, which will be determined by the Supreme Court of Ohio in an upcoming decision. The outcome will determine whether local Ohio governments can regulate the sale and marketing of ONPs and other nicotine products.
• Ohio’s tobacco prevention funding is just 8% of the CDC recommend amount and is near the bottom of all states.