Nicotine Pouches Become A New Favourite Among Young People

According to Australia's crackdown on e-cigarettes, the use of nicotine pouches has risen. A new survey of young Australians shows that up to 25% of respondents have used nicotine pouches, which has caused public health experts to worry about a new wave of addictive and illegal sales of nicotine products.

Michelle Jongenelis, an associate professor at the University of Melbourne, surveyed nearly 1,600 teenagers and adults aged between 16 and 39 and published a study in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. One in five respondents had used nicotine pouches in the past 30 days. Although it is illegal to buy or sell nicotine pouches without a prescription in Australia, one-third of respondents said they bought nicotine pouches from tobacconists.

Associate Professor Jongenelis said it was important not to ignore the emerging addictive products marketed to young Australians in the federal government's latest e-cigarette reforms.

 

"Our findings suggest that we need to start monitoring this new product, understand how it is used and how young people buy them," Associate Professor Jongenelis said. "With the growing awareness of e-cigarettes, it is not surprising that the e-cigarette industry and its retail allies have begun to quietly promote and sell this new addictive product to young Australians.

 

The nicotine pouches are discreetly packaged and available in a variety of flavours - factors that make them attractive to young Australians. Like e-cigarettes, they are also illegally sold by tobacconists."

 

Associate Professor Jongenelis said that to date, there has been limited research on nicotine pouches and their use in Australia.

"It is worrying that these addictive products are finding their way into the hands of young people," she said.

 

"Governments must be vigilant to attempts by the e-cigarette industry and its retail allies to attract the next generation. Enforcement of new e-cigarette laws should also include other illegal nicotine products. The use of new nicotine products should also be included in national monitoring surveys."