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{
    "id": 1341067,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1341067/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 337,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dr Susan Nakhumicha",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Health",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Temporary Speaker and Members, Velo is one of the tobacco products that the tobacco industry has introduced into the market as countries tighten regulations on tobacco smoking. The Tobacco Control Act of 2007 requires all manufacturers and importers of tobacco products to provide the content, ingredients and emissions of their products. Velo, which is a brand name for British American Tobacco (BAT) nicotine pouches, is a non-pharmaceutical substance but a nicotine derivative substance composed of organic nicotine derived from tobacco leaf. Hence, Velo is a tobacco product as defined under the Tobacco Control Act, 2007, and as directed by the Ministry Correspondence Ref: MOH/BOARDS/ 13/ I/ 150 VOL I (83), dated 21st January 2021. The chemical profile of the contents, constituents, ingredients and emissions of Velo is varied. I can quickly read through the ingredients. It contains micro-crystalline cellulose, which is a bulking agent. It also contains water and sodium chloride, which is a salt. Other ingredients include xylitol, which is a sweetening flavour; sodium alginate, which is a gelling agent; propylene glycol, which is a humectant; nicotine; sucralose, which is a sweetener; and sodium bicarbonate, which is an acidity regulator. The nicotine content of Velo can be as high as the nicotine content of other tobacco products such as conventional cigarettes, traditional smokeless tobaccos and heated tobacco products. Existing literature shows that for comparison purposes, conventional cigarettes typically contain an average of 12 mg/g to 19 mg/g of nicotine/g of tobacco while heated tobacco products typically contain on average 14 mg/g to 18 mg/g of nicotine/g of tobacco. Users can potentially consume up to 90 per cent of the nicotine, given that it is taken orally. These new product variants contain different flavours and additives which suppress the strong smell of tobacco and also makes them attractive and acceptable to users. These flavours include berry, strawberry, menthol, mint, peppermint, lime and spearmint. Besides nicotine, some of these novel tobacco products may contain other analytes such as heavy metals, which may be toxic to the body. There are regulatory mechanisms to restrict access to or the sale of Velo. Nicotine and its salts are classified as Part 1 Poisons under the Poisons List Confirmation Order. Under Cap 244, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) regulates nicotine and its salts. This informed the initial basis for regulation of nicotine pouches by the brand name Lyft. However, Cap 244 excludes nicotine that occurs naturally in tobacco. Therefore, the then Cabinet Secretary for The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}