The white powder “Sniffy” could soon be banned from sale because its method of consumption, reminiscent of cocaine, is considered dangerous by health authorities.
- “Sniffy” is a white powder that is consumed in the same way as cocaine: by snorting it through the nose.
- Frédéric Vailletoux, Minister Delegate for Health and Prevention, indicated on France Info that he wanted to ban this substance as soon as possible.
- The boss of the company that markets this product reminds us that it is legal.
Barely on sale, “Sniffy” could soon be banned. On the internet or in tobacco shops, all adults aged 18 and over can get this energising white powder.
A white powder that is consumed like cocaine.
The problem is that its mode of consumption is the same as another illicit substance, cocaine. And to leave no doubt to the consumer, when he buys the snorting powder, a straw is provided with it.
“Sniffy” is presented as an energizing powder based in particular on taurine, caffeine and even beta-alanine. On the websitethe brand presents its product: “Thanks to its rapid absorption through the nasal mucosa, Sniffy gives you an instant energy boost. Nasal intake promotes some of its active ingredients. They are absorbed immediately. The bigger the sniff, the greater the effect. The effect generally lasts 20 to 30 minutes.”
While indicating, a little further down, the maximum daily dose not to be exceeded: 2 grams, “or two vialsThe company nevertheless specifies “to only use Sniffy when you need it”. A one-gram box of powder is sold online for 14.90 euros and, the more the consumer orders, the lower the price.
Plain, candy strawberry, lime, mint and passion fruit are the five flavors that “Sniffy” offers. Since its marketing in May, the product has mainly become known following a sequence in the show “La grande week” on Tuesday May 21, broadcast on M6, and repeated on the social networksThe columnist showed the striking parallel between this product and cocaine.
Health authorities want to ban ‘Sniffy’
What do the health authorities think? “I discovered 48 hours ago this latest “invention”, and I put big quotation marks of course, this crap that some people want to sellindicated this Saturday, May 25, Frédéric Vailletoux, Minister Delegate for Health and Prevention, on France Info. (…) I will see in the coming days how we can ban this type of thing. (…) We must ban it as soon as we can.”
????White powder sold in tobacconists ➡️ “It’s infuriating to see this kind of product sold to young people (…) it must be banned as soon as we can,” says Frédéric Valletoux. pic.twitter.com/Uerzpe0YrZ
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) May 25, 2024
For his part, the boss of Highbuy, a Marseille manufacturer of CBD and the product “Sniffy”, who does not wish to be named, defends himself with 20 minutes : “A white powder that you inhale through your nose? Although this may suggest forbidden pleasure, it is completely within the law.”
“The real problem is the message behind it and the striking resemblance to cocaine, indicates Bernard Basset, doctor specializing in public health and president of the Addictions France Association, at HuffPost. This product trivializes the use of a stimulant for partying and vulgarizes the world of cocaine through a gesture, which is scandalous.”
