A survey has revealed that one in eight teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 have used nicotine pouches, raising concern among health experts about the growing popularity of these pouches.
Users hold the sachets, which resemble small tea bags and are often flavored, in their mouths to enjoy the nicotine release they contain. Also known as “snus”.
Unlike smoking, vaping does not increase the risk of cancer, but it raises concern due to the fear that users will become addicted to nicotine and suffer from problems in the mouth and teeth.
A survey of 500 teenagers aged 14 to 17 in England, Scotland and Wales found that 13% had used a nicotine pouch, and 30% said they did so at least once a week. Most get them from friends or buy them from stores, which don’t have any age restrictions on who they can sell them to.
The same poll, conducted by Deltapol for consultancy Future Health, found that seven in 10 respondents support the crackdown the UK government is planning against them. The Tobacco and Vapors Bill would ban the sale of pouches to under-18s, as well as changing packaging and limiting the use of flavors and the amount of nicotine to make them less attractive to children and young people.
“These unregulated products are being pushed heavily on young people, whether through store displays, social media, or in partnerships with UK music festivals,” Steve Brine, the former public health secretary, wrote in the introduction to a new Future Health report on sachets.
Pointing out that most major brands were made by cigarette companies, Brian added: “The tobacco industry is constantly looking for the next business opportunity through which a new generation can be addicted to nicotine.”
Nearly half (46%) of teens surveyed have seen nicotine pouches advertised, especially in stores and on social media. Three-quarters of respondents (73%) want restrictions on its promotion, sale and use, while a majority want to make it illegal for under-18s to buy it (63%) and uphold health warnings (59%).
The survey was conducted for Kenvue, which makes Nicorette, the over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy that some smokers use to try to quit smoking. Future Health is run by Richard Sloggett, a former Special Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
“Health concerns to date have focused on oral health problems such as dry mouth, gum lesions or blisters, unusual sensations in the jaw and receding gums,” the report says.
“[But] Studies have also raised concerns that 30 mg nicotine pouches resulted in increased nicotine absorption compared to cigarettes and increased arterial stiffness.
Sales of brands such as Velo, Nordic Spirit and Zyn are growing rapidly.
A group of international health experts warned in the European Heart Journal this week “Nicotine is toxic to the heart and blood vessels, regardless of whether it is consumed via e-cigarette, pouch, hookah or cigarette.” They expressed concern about the recent spike in the use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pods, especially among teenagers and young adults.
Separate research published this week in The Lancet Public Health journal found that more than 500,000 people in Britain now use nicotine, with the boom led by members of Generation Z, especially young people. The percentage of people between the ages of 16 and 24 who do so jumped from 0.7% in 2022 to 4% this year, according to the study conducted by Dr. Harry Tatan Birch from University College London.
He said: “The health risks of vaping are much lower than cigarettes and are likely to be less harmful than e-cigarettes. However, they are not harmful.”
A spokesman for Zane, which was created by tobacco company Philip Morris International, said: “The reality is that smoke-free products such as nicotine pouches have successfully supported millions of adults to leave cigarettes behind. Public health policymakers should be encouraged, according to Ash, that 96% of teens have never tried nicotine pouches.”
Asli Ertuncuk, head of British American Tobacco in the UK and Western Europe, confirmed that the Lancet study conducted last week also found that more and more smokers are using pouches to help them quit smoking. She added that a ban on tobacco advertising could endanger this type of journalism.
A spokesman for Japan Tobacco International, which makes Nordic Spirit, said: “We welcome the regulations prohibiting the sale of nicotine products to minors but have concerns about some aspects of this.” [tobacco and vapes] Legislation that could unnecessarily harm an emerging group and risks undermining the UK’s success in promoting alternatives to smoking if passed.
A DHSC spokesperson said: “We work to protect people’s health and prevent young people from becoming addicted to nicotine. Currently, nicotine pouches are much less regulated than e-cigarettes. This will change. The Tobacco and Vapors Bill will make it illegal to sell nicotine pouches and other nicotine products to anyone under the age of 18 to keep young people safe.”