Health dangers explained as Gen Z swap vaping for nicotine pouches
A study looking at the shifting habits of teenagers and nicotine came to some shocking conclusions.
While the stereotype is that young people are obsessed with e-cigarettes and vapes, a new study has found that this trend may be changing.
The study, published in the JAMA Network last week, found that many teenagers are ditching vapes for nicotine pouches instead.
According to a Cleveland Clinic report, nicotine pouches are small, rectangular pouches filled with powdered nicotine, preservatives and other fillers.
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One of the big differences is that they do not include tobacco leaves. However, a debate continues to rage on about their overall safety, especially when consumed by young people.
What have the experts said about nicotine pouches?
Pulmonologist Humberto Choi, MD has spoken about their rise in popularity in recent years.
He said: “Non-tobacco nicotine products like nicotine pouches are quickly flooding the market.
“These tiny pouches can be especially attractive for young people.
“Companies market nicotine pouches in colorful packaging, and they come in flavors like berry and peppermint.”
Speaking about the recent rise, the study noted that nicotine pouch use nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024 as it explored the nicotine habits of over 10,000 teens in 10th and 12th grade between this time period.
Adam M. Leventhal, the executive director of the USC Institute for Addiction Science and one of the authors of the study, spoke to Business Insider about the rise in pouches as a substitute for other nicotine products.
He noted that if you were to go on social media and put in a popular brand name of one of the nicotine pouches you would be hit with a barrage of videos of young people comparing flavors and instructing others on how to use it correctly.
Leventhal noted that despite the warnings from health authorities and experts, teens remain drawn to nicotine products.
Based on his team's previous research, teens like that nicotine can stimulate mood, increase metabolism, and suppress appetite.
He noted that pouches can be used more discreetly than vapes or traditional cigarettes, also adding to their popularity, highlighting they can be used in schools, in front of parents and in areas vaping is not allowed.
What health issues can nicotine pouches cause?
To use a nicotine pouch it is placed in your mouth between the gums and the lips for up to an hour and the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream.
But despite the popularity, the pouches can still cause significant issues.
These include:
- gum irritation
- nicotine addiction
- sore mouth
- upset stomach
Meanwhile, the use of nicotine can cause:
- heart, lung, stomach, and fertility problems
- weakened immune system
Gerrard Kaonga