You might have heard once or twice about nicotine pouches as these little, tobacco-free packets have become a rising trend, promising a smoke-free alternative for those looking to get their nicotine fix.
However, before you pop one under your lip, there’s more to them than meets the eye. From how they work to what’s really inside, understanding nicotine pouches is key to making informed choices about your health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bottom line is that nicotine pouches are not safe tobacco products, especially for young adults, and pregnant individuals. These pouches are said to contain a powder with high nicotine levels and are marketed using similar strategies to other tobacco products. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved nicotine pouches as a smoking cessation aid.”
The publication above further explains that nicotine pouches are small, disposable microfibre pouches and come in various flavours. They are marketed as smokeless products, similar to moist snuff and snus. “These pouches may be referred to as synthetic nicotine or non-tobacco nicotine (NTN) products and may be marketed as “tobacco-free.” There is little chemical difference between tobacco-derived nicotine and synthetic nicotine.”
Yale Medicine states that nicotine pouches may be regarded as a safer alternative to cigarettes or vaping due to their lack of carcinogens and inhalation in the lungs, however, they are not recommended for youth and have not yet been fully studied for long-term health risks.
The source mentioned above further states that nicotine is a stimulant, causing issues like increased impulsivity and ADHD-type cognitive symptoms in adolescents and young adults. “Once you become dependent on it, you just feel normal when you have it. And when you don’t have it, you start having cravings, headaches, or other withdrawal symptoms that indicate, ‘Hey, time for another one.’ Then, you have another one, and your withdrawal symptoms go away, and you get back to baseline.”
Healthline lists more of the side effects associated with nicotine pouch usage, including:
- Nicotine addiction
- Mouth and gum irritation
- Dental conditions
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Allergic reactions
Also see: 4 Convincing reasons to quit smoking
