The use of nicotine pouches has significantly surged over the last several years. In pursuit of alternatives to smoking, individuals have discovered nicotine pouches to be an innovative solution. Providing a smoke-free, tobacco-free method to administer nicotine, these pouches have surfaced as a possible paradigm shift in reducing harm for smokers.
Were you aware that in Sweden, the proportion of smokers dropped from 12% to under 5% following the introduction of nicotine pouches? A sharp increase in nicotine pouch consumption indicates their substantial acceptance and favor among the populace. In the article that follows, we aim to monitor the popularity of nicotine pouches and investigate recent patterns associated with them.
Let’s Commence!
The Ascent of a Safer Option in the Market
In pursuit of alternatives to smoking, the world has witnessed the advent of vapes, smokeless tobacco, and more. Yet, none have garnered the popularity quite like the esteemed nicotine pouches. What might be the rationale behind this?
Absence of Tobacco, Absence of Combustion
To commence, nicotine pouches have surfaced as one of the safest substitutes for smoking. Individuals grappling with the health repercussions of smoking seek alternatives that minimize risks while aiding in the cessation of addiction. Unlike cigarettes, vapes, and smokeless tobacco, nicotine pouches are devoid of smoke and tobacco.
When there is no ignition and tobacco remains unburned, all the health hazards linked to the combustion of tobacco are already eliminated. Without tobacco in any form (whether smoked or smokeless), the likelihood of tobacco-related ailments is eradicated. Consequently, the product’s popularity soars.
Cravings Curtailed!
Another rationale for nicotine pouches’ emergence as a safer option in the marketplace lies in their regulated consumption of the substance. The pouches contain a modest quantity of nicotine that can be ingested upon experiencing a craving. Unlike cigarettes, where cravings are not managed, with pouches, one is aware of the precise amount being consumed.
Gradually, the intake can be diminished by decreasing the milligram content of nicotine per pouch. The enhanced control over consumption has undoubtedly been another contributor to the substantial popularity of nicotine pouches.
Gaining Momentum: The Appeal for Switching
When a product presents itself as a safer, more appropriate alternative, it becomes clearer why it garners attention. This is the case with nicotine pouches from reputable brands like Pouch Mafia. Beyond addressing health risks and providing individuals with control, there are additional reasons for the escalating popularity of nicotine pouches.
They address the psychological and social implications encountered by smokers. For example, being a smoker in a group of non-smokers can restrict one’s social interactions. Moreover, the scent of cigarettes and tobacco is not agreeable.
Substitute that with an inconspicuously concealed pouch, and one is shielded from any social discomfort and feels more self-assured. It’s no surprise that there has been a correlation between the rise in nicotine pouch use and a reduction in smoking rates.
Nicotine Pouches: A Favorite Among Youth
The era when cigarettes were considered cool is long past! Smoking is no longer popular among today’s youth. Can you blame them, considering the health risks and unpleasant odor involved? In the digital age of social media, nicotine pouches have emerged as a far more acceptable and convenient alternative to cigarettes.
Consequently, there has been a burgeoning trend of societal acceptance regarding nicotine pouches. Another reason for these products’ appeal to the younger demographic is the variety and innovation they offer. In contemporary times, young adults seek more elaborate ways to distinguish themselves.
The expanding array of flavors provided by nicotine pouch producers targets this concern of young consumers. Catering to diverse taste preferences makes this product far more enticing to a broader audience.
The Future of Nicotine Pouches: A Glimpse Ahead
The future appears exceptionally promising for nicotine pouches. Having established themselves as a contemporary alternative to smoking, these products have addressed all the shortcomings associated with traditional smoking substitutes. So, what can we anticipate from nicotine pouches in the future? Let’s take a look:
A Smoke-Free Horizon?
It’s challenging to definitively state whether cigarettes will be entirely eliminated. However, nicotine pouches have indicated a path toward a smoke-free future. In the past, when a smoker quit smoking, they might turn to traditional alternatives such as vaping or smokeless tobacco.
Nevertheless, withdrawal symptoms would eventually manifest, leading to a relapse. With these pouches, there is a more immediate means of accessing nicotine when necessary, so smokers do not contemplate lighting up a cigarette. Thus, nicotine pouches could be the pathway to a smoke-free future.
Technological Innovations
Nicotine pouches are relatively new to the market with ample room for enhancement. Manufacturers will aim to improve their absorption rates to ensure users receive the appropriate amount of nicotine required.
Furthermore, there is also the potential for advancing controlled nicotine delivery systems. This would allow users to further regulate the amount of substance they consume. As a result, the likelihood of a further surge in the popularity of nicotine pouches is evident.
Key Insights
Nicotine pouches have amassed significant popularity over the past few years, and the reasons are clear. There has been a growing trend of smokers transitioning from cigarettes to these much safer alternatives. Society as a whole has embraced nicotine pouches as a more fitting replacement for smoking.
The current generations are also showing a preference for the product. The future looks exceptionally promising, and if further improvements are made to the quality of nicotine pouches, their popularity will continue to soar. If you are seeking high-quality nicotine pouches, procure them from reputable websites like Snuzzer to ensure safety and the highest quality of the products.
Customs Minister Casey Costello has reduced the excise tax on heated tobacco products. Image: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has lowered the excise tax on Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs), with the intention of making them more appealing as a substitute for smoking.
Costello, who also serves as Customs Minister, has decreased the excise rate on HTPs by 50 percent, effective from 1 July—a change quietly posted on the Customs website.
Costello declined to be interviewed by RNZ, but a spokesperson stated that her decision to lower the cost of these products was to motivate smokers to transition to less harmful options.
However, Janet Hoek, a Professor of Public Health at the University of Otago, mentioned to RNZ that the action appeared to be biased towards the tobacco industry.
“Indeed, that is a development that tobacco companies would have eagerly anticipated,” Hoek remarked. “This is not guidance that originates from the Ministry (of Health). It certainly appears to be counsel that aligns with the interests of the tobacco industry.”
The tobacco behemoth Philip Morris possesses a prominent brand in the HTP market, the IQOS, which involves inserting tobacco sticks into a device where they are heated instead of combusted.
Philip Morris has advocated for a reduction in the excise tax on HTPs, suggesting to the Tax Working Group in 2018 that the government ought to “set a tax rate for heated tobacco products markedly lower than the tax rate” applied to tobacco.
In a statement to RNZ, Costello mentioned that vaping has been an effective tool for quitting smoking and she is interested in exploring whether HTPs could also serve as a valuable cessation aid.
“Vaping is not effective for everyone, and some individuals attempting to quit have made multiple attempts. HTPs share a comparable risk profile with vapes and are currently legally accessible, so we are examining the effects of halving the excise on those products,” Costello explained.
Costello’s curiosity in tobacco and nicotine products that do not involve smoking Earlier this year, the government discontinued Labour’s smokefree initiative, which health authorities had characterized as an “ultimate objective” for the tobacco industry in New Zealand.
These actions would have drastically reduced the number of tobacco retailers from 6,000 to 600, removed 95 percent of the nicotine from cigarettes, and established a generation free from smoking by prohibiting sales to anyone born after 2009.
Costello has expressed her dedication to the Smokefree 2025 target and is also contemplating whether permitting the sale of oral nicotine products, such as snus and nicotine pouches, could contribute to achieving this objective.
Ministry of Health documents indicate that in March, Costello suggested to a Cabinet committee to “consent in principle to allowing the sale of tobacco and nicotine products that do not involve smoking, provided the evidence demonstrates they are considerably less harmful than smoking.”
However, the ministry cautioned Costello against allowing the sale of snus and nicotine pouches.
“On balance, we do not endorse expanding the variety of nicotine products available for purchase in New Zealand,” it stated. “Additional products may exacerbate existing concerns regarding young individuals’ dependency on nicotine with minimal advantage.”
The ministry informed Costello that there was “insufficient evidence” that snus aids people in quitting smoking. “The risk of feeling addicted may be greater for snus than for tobacco that is smoked. The use of snus may heighten the risk of certain health issues.”
The ministry expressed concerns about nicotine pouches, noting that they are a novel product with growing concerns surrounding them.
“There is not reliable evidence to date to substantiate their potential use as a lower-risk alternative to smoking, and there is currently no evidence of their efficacy for smoking cessation,” officials communicated to Costello.
“There is evidence of them being promoted to children in other countries, and they are linked with nicotine reliance and addiction. Children, adolescents, and non-smokers are deemed at high risk of dependence.”
In her statement to RNZ, the Minister adopted a more cautious stance on nicotine pouches compared to what was suggested in the Cabinet committee document.
“I have reservations about nicotine pouches, which appear to be aimed at young individuals,” Costello stated.
The Associate Health Minister indicated that she would continue to seek counsel regarding the efficacy and safety of alternatives to smoking.
“If there are tobacco or nicotine products that are significantly less harmful than smoking—that is, they have a comparable risk profile to vaping—then I want advice on whether it’s beneficial to have them accessible to assist people in quitting smoking,” she said.
“The balance we need to achieve is to prevent young individuals from becoming addicted to nicotine. New Zealand did not have any regulations concerning vaping until it was too late, and youth vaping became unmanageable.”
Nicotine pouches, which users position between the gum and the lip to absorb nicotine into the bloodstream, are aggressively marketed to young individuals by influencers on TikTok and Instagram.
Major tobacco companies have capitalized on nicotine pouches as an alternative source of income.
Philip Morris acquired Swedish Match, the producer of the Zyn brand of nicotine pouches, for $27 billion in 2022.
British American Tobacco, the owner of the Velo and Lyft brands of nicotine pouches, has advocated for the government to legalize these products in New Zealand. ”
The government’s omission to include smokeless oral nicotine products within the same regulatory framework as vaping products represents a substantial missed opportunity for progressing Smokefree 2025,” it remarked in a 2021 submission on the government’s smokefree strategies.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — From Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League to news networks and social media, nicotine pouches have made their presence well-known. Like many vaping products, people see these pouches as an alternative to tobacco. Could these pouches be the new vaping? Their recent growth in popularity has some people wondering if they will become popular among young people, similar to vaping products.
What are nicotine pouches?
Adrienne Duke-Marks, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System human sciences specialist, explained that nicotine pouches are a relatively new introduction to consumers.
“Nicotine pouches made their debut in the United States market in 2016, and their sales have surged in recent years,” Duke-Marks stated.
Nicotine pouches are tiny, oral pouches filled with nicotine salts and various other ingredients. Some of the well-known brands of these products include Zyn, Velo, and Rogue. These pouches do not contain tobacco. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration still oversees them because federal law classifies any item containing nicotine derived from tobacco as a tobacco product.
Users place these pouches between their lips and gums, allowing the nicotine to be absorbed through the mouth. Unlike snuff or chewing tobacco, there is no need to expel this product. This characteristic appeals to individuals seeking a more convenient and cleaner method of nicotine consumption. FOX Sports reported in early 2023 that certain MLB players have adopted these products due to bans on oral tobacco.
“These pouches come in a variety of flavors and can be consumed inconspicuously,” noted Duke-Marks, who is also an associate professor in the Auburn University College of Human Sciences. “The pouches bear resemblance to Swedish snus, which is actually recognized by the FDA as one of the few products linked to tobacco harm reduction.”
The term tobacco harm reduction is associated with the use of less harmful nicotine products instead of conventional nicotine products, such as cigarettes.
Impacts on Well-being
As vaping products rose in popularity in the early 2010s, individuals questioned their impacts on health. Today, there is a better understanding of their effects on the brain, heart, lungs, and cancer risks. Similarly, curiosity may arise about the health effects of nicotine pouches and how they compare to vaping and traditional tobacco.
Pouches can vary in nicotine content. Duke-Marks emphasized that it is crucial to remember that all forms of nicotine are addictive and can negatively affect adolescent brain development.
“Nicotine pouches actually have lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to other nicotine products,” she mentioned. “However, the high nicotine concentrations in some of these pouches are a cause for concern, especially for youth who have never smoked. Currently, there are no long-term studies on the effects of nicotine pouches on the mouth or other bodily systems.”
Utilization Among Young Individuals
Research conducted over the past several years indicates a consistent rise in the number of U.S. middle- and high-school students employing electronic nicotine devices. For nicotine pouches, retailers have observed a surge in sales. However, Duke-Marks noted that there has not been extensive research to investigate self-reported use of nicotine pouches among youth or adults.
“As with other novel nicotine products, youth and young adults are frequently the first to experiment with new substances and popularize their usage,” Duke-Marks commented. “However, a recent study on marketing in the U.S. has not discovered that they (companies) are specifically aiming at youth audiences at this juncture.”
Will these nicotine pouches become the next vaping trend? At this stage, further research is required before experts can provide an answer to that question. Nonetheless, parents and guardians can leverage the popularity of these pouches as an opportunity to discuss nicotine with young individuals.
“If you simply tell young people that you do not want them to smoke or vape, you are not addressing the primary substance that causes addiction in teens,” Duke-Marks remarked. “Speak to them about the perils of nicotine and the influence of addiction on the body and mind. Focus more on the substance and less on the method of introducing it into the system.”
Additional Information
Alabama Extension’s human sciences team offers resources that can assist you in having this conversation with your child or young adult. These resources encompass topics such as smoking, vaping, cigarillos, pouches, hookah/shisha, and others. To locate these resources, search for these topics at www.aces.edu. You can also visit the website’s Health section under the Home and Family topic area.
Please be aware that the trade and brand names utilized in this publication are provided for informational purposes solely. No warranty, endorsement, or discrimination among comparable products is intended or implied by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
Nicotine pouches are being utilized as an alternative to weight loss medications such as Wegovy and Ozempic.
Nicotine is recognized as an appetite suppressant but it carries numerous health risks.
Dangers of oral nicotine products include stomach discomfort, dental decay, and specific types of cancer.
Experts suggest that you can naturally reduce your appetite through lifestyle adjustments.
Instagram and TikTok users are advocating for the use of Zyn brand nicotine pouches as a method to suppress appetite in a trend that has been dubbed “O-Zyn-pic” — a cost-effective alternative to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Content creators are asserting that the $5 servings of flavored nicotine have aided them in shedding up to 30 pounds.
Nevertheless, while nicotine might assist in diminishing appetite, health professionals are voicing their worries about this troubling trend and the health risks linked to nicotine.
Health dangers of Zyn nicotine pouches
Zyn pouches are positioned between your lip and gums, and the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream.
“Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, which can result in psychological and physiological dependence, as well as withdrawal symptoms upon stopping use,” notes Amy Reichelt, PhD, Chief Innovation Officer at PurMinds Neuropharma.
With GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic being very costly and prescription medications that are only appropriate for a specific group of individuals, Reichelt isn’t astonished that people are turning to nicotine products that are easily accessible to the general public to assist with weight loss.
As an appetite suppressant, it can be quite effective.
“Nicotine can influence appetite in various ways, including modifying activity in reward processing brain circuits through stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, and also through affecting the activity of the appetite-regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin,” Reichelt elaborates.
Nonetheless, she believes the health risks aren’t worth it.
In the short term, she says nicotine pouches can lead to a variety of side effects, particularly at higher doses, such as:
nausea
headache
dizziness
throat irritation
gastrointestinal discomfort
In the long term, the risks can be more severe.
“Nicotine can have immediate cardiovascular effects, including raising heart rate and blood pressure, which may pose risks for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions,” she explains.
Nicotine use is also linked to an increased risk of stroke and different types of cancer.
A study of 44 nicotine pouch products and two nicotine-free pouches published in 2022 discovered that 26 of the samples contained cancer-causing chemicals known as tobacco-specific nitrosamines.
Nicotine pouches may damage your dental health as well
“Oral nicotine products primarily consist of nicotine, flavorings, a pH buffer, filling agents, as well as a small amount of harmful tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), metal, and formaldehyde,” Reichelt hypothesizes. “Since nicotine pouches are placed in the mouth against the gum, there is research exploring whether these pouches contribute to periodontal disease and harm to the gums that can result in tooth loss or decay.”
A 2023 study discovered that when applied to the same area of the mouth consistently, Nicotine can contribute to periodontitis, the primary cause of tooth loss.
Cigarette maker Philip Morris International is halting internet sales on Zyn.com following the discovery that their partner may have unlawfully marketed goods in the country’s capital.
Swedish Match North America, a subsidiary of the tobacco behemoth that owns the nicotine pouch label Zyn, is confronting a summons in Washington, DC. The city’s chief legal officer has focused on Zyn sales and their adherence to a 2022 prohibition on flavored tobacco and flavored synthetic nicotine.
Zyn pouches are diminutive, nicotine-laden sachets that a consumer places between their gums and their upper lip. The merchandise does not incorporate tobacco, according to the company. Zyn pouches also vary from snus — another oral nicotine product — in that they are composed of nicotine powder, as opposed to chopped tobacco leaf.
Zyn.com is suspending sales following Phillip Morris’ initial inquiry which indicated the flavored nicotine pouches might have been sold in Washington, DC, primarily through online sales and independent vendors, as per a statement. As the company examines its “sales and supply chain arrangements,” it will cease selling products online as an “initial corrective action.”
“In the event of an adverse outcome related to this issue, a significant financial obligation is reasonably probable though not quantifiable at this time,” the company stated in a statement.
The cessation of online sales does not signify the disappearance of Zyn products—sales on the Zyn website have constituted a minor fraction of “nationwide Zyn volumes” since Phillip Morris acquired the company, according to their statement.
Zyn products have been a subject of debate for several months.
In January, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged regulators to scrutinize the nicotine pouches, referencing their allure to adolescents. The Food and Drug Administration states it is monitoring the underage consumption of nicotine products.
Approximately 1.5 percent of high school and middle school students reported using nicotine last year, the FDA said, considerably less than the 10 percent of students who reported using e-cigarettes.
