Nicotine pouches might be less harmful than other tobacco products, evidence shows However, they still pose a nicotine addiction risk to users Further, the pouches do contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde MONDAY, June 17, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Nicotine pouches might be less harmful than smoking or chewing tobacco, but they still pose an risk to users, a new review finds. These pouches are filled with crystallized nicotine, and are placed between the gums and lips, researchers said. They are sold in various flavors and nicotine strengths.
The pouches differ from Snus, which are used the same way but contain actual tobacco instead of crystallized nicotine. “Oral nicotine pouches are rapidly increasing in popularity,” said researcher , project director for Georgetown University’s Center for the Assessment of Tobacco Regulations. “While they may present a less harmful nicotine alternative for cigarette users, there is considerable concern about them becoming a new form of nicotine dependence, especially in youth who don’t use tobacco or nicotine,” Travis said in a Georgetown news release.
For the review, published June 16 in the journal researchers analyzed 45 academic and 17 industry-funded studies of nicotine pouches. About 1.5% of children and teens currently use the pouches, and under 2.
5% of young people have ever tried them, researchers found. However, as many as 42% of teens and young adults have heard of them, and as many as 21% of non-tobacco-using y.
