Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouches have been rapidly gaining popularity among teens and young adults. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in 2024, 1.8% of all middle and high school students reported using nicotine pouches within the last 30 days. Adolescents are interested in using pouches because there are a variety of appealing flavors and use is pretty discreet.

What are nicotine pouches?

Nicotine pouches are small, microfiber pouches containing a powder made of nicotine, flavorings, and other ingredients. Users place these pouches between their lip and gum, allowing nicotine to be absorbed through the oral mucosa. Unlike traditional smokeless tobacco products, nicotine pouches don’t contain tobacco leaf and don’t require you to spit it out, as you would with chewing tobacco.

My friends say nicotine pouches are the safer choice. Is that true?

Yes and no. Nicotine pouches generally contain fewer harmful chemicals compared to traditional tobacco products because they lack tobacco leaf (which can lead to cancer). However, that does not mean they are not harmful.  They still contain nicotine, a highly addictive and potentially poisonous chemical. Nicotine can impact adolescent brain development as well as negatively impact the health of a fetus during pregnancy. The pouches also contain artificial flavorings, salts, fillers, and stabilizers. Since some of these ingredients are new, so the long-term effects of using them are unknown. Although pouches do not contain harmful chemicals such as tar or carbon monoxide, impurities within the nicotine itself plus the unknown risks of the additional chemicals mean that this product is NOT a “safer” alternative. Until we have more research to understand the long-term health effects of using these products, young people and pregnant people should avoid using.

Are nicotine pouches addictive?

Yes, nicotine pouches are highly addictive. Nicotine stimulates the brain’s reward system, leading to dependency and cravings, making it difficult for users to quit. The addictive potential is similar to that of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other nicotine products, posing risks for prolonged use and difficulty in stopping, especially among young people and those new to nicotine use.

Fast facts about nicotine pouches:

• Nicotine pouches are designed for discreet use, as they don’t produce smoke, vapor, or require spitting like some smokeless tobacco products.
• A pouch is typically used for about 20-60 minutes, during which nicotine is absorbed through the lining of the mouth.
• Nicotine pouches come in small, portable tins or containers, making them easy to carry.
• The use of nicotine pouches has rapidly grown in recent years, especially among younger adults and former smokers seeking alternatives to traditional tobacco products.
• While marketed as an alternative to smoking, nicotine pouches are not FDA-approved as a smoking cessation aid.
• The pH level in the pouch affects how much nicotine is absorbed, with higher pH levels leading to faster absorption.
• Pouches are available in a wide variety of flavors and nicotine strengths, catering to different preferences and tolerances.

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