Understanding Nicotine Pouch Use By Young People

Nathan Chilcott

Published Studies

Nicotine pouches are considered a healthier option when compared to cigarettes or vaping. However, in recent years, governments and health organisations have become concerned that youth nicotine pouch use is on the rise.

It’s this that has prompted governments to impose tighter regulations. For example, France has now banned nicotine pouches, but many other countries have age restrictions on purchasing pouches.

Why The Concern

"Nicotine pouches were designed to be a viable replacement for cigarettes, reducing health risks. At the same time, they are cheaper and more convenient.”

To help them appeal to users, the nicotine pouch industry produces a wide variety of nicotine pouch flavours.

It’s this that health organisations and governments are concerned about. They believe that the abundance of flavours, such as Zyn Black Cherry makes the pouches more appealing to young people.

In addition, studies suggest that marketing pouches as tobacco-free is increasing their appeal to young people.

Whether this is true or not, the concern is that young people will become addicted to nicotine and potentially develop related health issues in the future.

It should be noted that the long-term side effects of nicotine pouches are currently unknown.

Usage By Young People: The Facts

When looking at adolescents and nicotine pouches, it’s important to consider how many are using pouches and how this compares to cigarette use in the past.

A study performed in the US, found that 37.3% of young people were aware of nicotine pouches. But that, only 3.8% had ever used them.

Interestingly, a similar British study found the same result: 3.3% of youths reported using them.

In contrast, a World health Organisation study showed that 9.7% of young people aged between 13-15 years old use cigarettes.

A ncbi report shows that in 1997, at the height of cigarettes’ popularity, 26% of young men and 28% of young women were smoking.

In other words, right now, nicotine pouches remain much less of an issue than cigarettes. Which, as we’ve already mentioned, are considerably more harmful.

Increasing Nicotine Pouch Awareness,

Nicotine pouches are a healthier alternative to cigarettes. While the array of flavours may attract young people, it would appear that this is actually a good thing.

The more young people that try nicotine pouches as opposed to cigarettes, the better it is for healthcare systems and the individuals involved.

The key to reducing cigarette use further, perhaps even eliminating it in the future, is to increase nicotine pouch awareness.

It’s not necessary to encourage young people to use nicotine pouches. However, it is a good idea to encourage their use over smoking.

Summing Up

According to the studies undertaken, young people are trying nicotine pouches. However, that number remains much less than those who are taking up smoking.

As smoking is a far bigger health concern, it is perhaps time for governments and health organisations to focus more effort on preventing young people from smoking, even if that means they try nicotine pouches as a harm reduction strategy instead.

• Disclaimer

We make every effort to ensure the information published on our website is accurate and up-to-date. Our blog is provided for information only. It is not intended as medical advice.