India Moves Against Adani Over Nicotine Pouches
The Indian government has urged the Mumbai High Court to dismiss Adani Group’s challenge against allegations that nicotine pouches were sold illegally at Mumbai’s international airport duty-free shops. Authorities argue that the products violate Indian drug laws and pose a serious public health risk, even if they are stored in customs-bonded warehouses and sold only to departing international passengers.
In its court filing, the government stated that nicotine pouches enter Indian territory as soon as they arrive at the airport, making them subject to Indian laws. Officials also rejected Adani’s claim that the products should not be regulated under the country’s drug laws. The case follows a March inspection that found unapproved nicotine pouches being stocked and sold without the required regulatory approvals.
The legal dispute is expected to influence how India regulates nicotine pouch sales at duty-free airports in the future. While Adani has maintained that the products are not classified as drugs and has challenged the government’s interpretation in court, authorities insist that nicotine is an addictive chemical and that selling unapproved products could expose passengers to significant health risks.
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