One in eight 14- to 17-year-olds have used nicotine pods, according to a survey, adding to health experts' concerns about their growing popularity.
Users hold small packets, similar to tea bags and often flavored, in their mouths to enjoy the release of the nicotine they contain. They are also called “snus”.
Unlike smoking, pouches do not increase the risk of cancer, but raise alarms due to concerns that users may become addicted to nicotine and suffer oral and dental problems.
Survey of 500 teenagers aged 14 to 17 years in England. Scotland and in Wales it was found that 13% used nicotine pods, of which 30% said they did so at least once a week. Most acquire them from friends or buy them from stores where there are no age restrictions on who they can sell to.
The same poll, carried out by Deltapoll for consultancy Future Health, found that seven in 10 respondents supported the UK government's planned crackdown on them. Bill on tobacco and vaping will ban the sale of pods to people under 18, and will change packaging and limit the use of flavors and the amount of nicotine to make them less appealing to children and young people.
Steve Breen, the former health secretary, wrote in the foreword to the new Future report Health on the bags: “These unregulated products are being actively promoted to young people, whether through store windows, social media or through partnerships with UK music festivals.”
Citing the fact that most major brands were created by cigarette companies, Breen added: “The tobacco industry is constantly looking for new business opportunities to get new generations addicted to nicotine.”
Nearly half (46%) of teens surveyed had seen advertisements for nicotine pods, mostly in stores and on social media. Three-quarters (73%) want to see restrictions on their promotion, sale and use, while most want them to be illegal for children under 18 to purchase (63%) and contain health warnings (59%).
The survey was conducted for Kenvue, which makes Nicorette, an over-the-counter nicotine replacement drug that some smokers use to try to quit smoking. Future Health is led by Richard Sloggett, a former special adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The report states: “Today's health concerns have focused on oral problems such as dry mouth, gum lesions or blisters, unusual jaw sensations and receding gums.
“[But] “The studies also raised concerns that 30 mg nicotine pouches resulted in higher nicotine absorption than cigarettes and increased arterial stiffness.”
Sales of brands such as Velo, Nordic Spirit and Zyn are growing rapidly.
Group of international health experts warned in the European Heart Journal this week that “nicotine is toxic to the heart and blood vessels, regardless of whether it is consumed through a vape, pouch, hookah or cigarette.” They expressed concern about the recent sharp increase in the use of vapes, hot tobacco pouches and nicotine, especially among teenagers and young adults.
Separate study published this week The Lancet Public Health found that more than 500,000 people in Britain now use nicotine, with the boom driven by Gen Z, especially young men. The proportion of 16 to 24-year-olds who did so jumped from 0.7% in 2022 to 4% this year, according to research led by Dr Harry Tattan-Birch from University College London.
“Pochettes pose a substantially lower health risk than cigarettes and are likely less harmful than e-cigarettes. However, they are not harmless,” he said.
A spokesman for Zyn, manufactured by tobacco firm Philip Morris International, said: “The reality is that smoke-free products such as nicotine pods have successfully helped millions of adults quit cigarettes. Public health policymakers should be encouraged that, according to Ash, 96% of teenagers have never tried nicotine pods.”
Asli Ertonguk, head of British American Tobacco in the UK and Western Europe, highlighted that a Lancet study last week also found that more and more smokers were using pouches to help them quit. A ban on snus advertising could jeopardize that press, she added.
A spokesman for Japan Tobacco International, which produces Nordic Spirit, said: “We welcome the regulation to prohibit the sale of nicotine products to minors, but have concerns about some aspects [tobacco and vapes] legislation that could unnecessarily harm the new category and risks undermining the UK's progress in promoting alternatives to smoking if it is passed.”
A DHSC spokesman said: “We are acting to protect public health and stop young people becoming addicted to nicotine. Nicotine pouches are currently much less regulated than nicotine vapes. This will change. The Tobacco and Vaping Bill will make it illegal to sell nicotine pouches and other nicotine products to people under 18 years of age to help keep young people safe.”
