Nicotine as a drug. A problem is bearing down on the world that could fundamentally change the rules.

Prague, September 3, 2026 – The international drug control system faces a decision that could fundamentally alter the rules governing nicotine products worldwide. Back in June, the Republic of Palau officially requested that the UN conduct a critical review of nicotine under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, thereby initiating the process. The ultimate aim is to classify nicotine alongside other controlled drugs, effectively banning products such as vapes and nicotine pouches. This implies a return to cigarettes—a move that is just a short step away from total prohibition. A new phase is now set to begin, one that could have significant repercussions for the Czech Republic—affecting everything from the availability of nicotine products and the growth of the illicit market to the very principles of harm reduction policy.

An international online seminar hosted by the "Rational Addiction Policy" think tank highlighted the serious risks associated with Palau’s initiative; the event was attended by dozens of experts and other participants from various countries.

"This is no longer a hypothetical debate about what might happen someday. The process has begun, and the Czech Republic needs to take action now. If we wait until the UN vote, it may be too late. We must make our voices heard during the scientific assessment phase, as that is where the framing of the entire issue will be determined," says Jindřich Vobořil, Chairman of the Board of the "Rational Addiction Policy" think tank and former Czech National Anti-Drug Coordinator.

Palau has requested a critical review of nicotine—the first such process since the 1990s. The WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) is set to begin its review in late 2026, with recommendations expected in October 2027. A decision on potential scheduling would subsequently rest with the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), which is scheduled to vote in March 2028.

A cigarette ban may not be the biggest risk

At first glance, the initiative might appear to be an attempt to impose a blanket ban on nicotine. However, that is neither the only nor necessarily the most likely scenario. According to experts, this is precisely where the greatest danger lies.

International controls could primarily target extracted and synthetic nicotine—such as nicotine pods, e-liquids, or nicotine pouches—while leaving conventional cigarettes and tobacco leaves outside this regulatory framework. Such a development could create a paradoxical situation: the most harmful form of nicotine use would remain legally available, while lower-risk alternative products would be subjected to a strict control regime.

"We must carefully distinguish between nicotine as a molecule and the harm caused by specific methods of its use. If we create an international rule that ignores the differences between individual products, we risk placing lower-risk alternatives under the same regulatory regime as products associated with the greatest health burden. That would set a very dangerous precedent," warns Pavel Pachta, former Deputy Secretary of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).

According to experts, such a development could directly conflict with harm reduction principles. At the same time, it could fuel the emergence and growth of an illicit market. After all, including a substance in the international control system brings with it tools used to combat illicit trade.

The Czech Republic Must Not Wait Until 2028

The Czech Republic has not yet taken a position on Palau's initiative. However, according to the Rational Addiction Policy think tank, it should not wait for the final vote by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). A crucial phase will occur as early as the scientific review by the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) in 2027.

"If we wait until 2028, it might be too late. The Czech Republic should start preparing its position now and join forces with other countries that wish to maintain decision-making based on scientific evidence and differences in risk levels," adds Jindřich Vobořil.

According to experts, Palau's initiative is not merely a matter of nicotine regulation; it could set a precedent for the entire international system of classifying addictive substances. If addiction potential alone were to become the sufficient criterion for international control—without considering the relative harmfulness of specific modes of use—the consequences could extend far beyond nicotine products.

What began as an initiative by a small Pacific nation is already evolving into an international process, the outcome of which could shape the rules for the entire nicotine product sector. Experts therefore advise the Czech Republic not to wait until the issue reaches the stage of a UN vote; action is needed now.