A new kind of addictive habit is on the rise among the youth. No, it is not smoking, but the usage of small nicotine pouches.
This trend has been reported to be on the rise among the youth in the UK, as per a study conducted by researchers from University College London.
“The rise in nicotine pouch use has been driven almost exclusively by young people, especially young men, while use among adults over 35 remained stable and low," said lead author Dr Harry Tattan-Birch, from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care.
Nicotine pouches are small white sachets placed between the gum and lip that contain synthetic or extracted nicotine. Unlike snus, a form of smokeless tobacco long used in Sweden, nicotine pouches contain no tobacco, mentioned the UCL study.
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Synthetic nicotine is lab-made nicotine that does not come from the tobacco plant.
What is snus?
Snus is a smokeless tobacco product that may be less harmful than cigarettes, but it is not risk-free. It delivers nicotine, which can cause addiction and affect heart and oral health.
As per a study, 'Effect of smokeless tobacco (snus) on smoking and public health in Sweden', snus is manufactured and stored in a manner that causes it to deliver lower concentrations of some harmful chemicals than other tobacco products, although it can deliver high doses of nicotine.
People who use snus place the nicotine pouches under the upper lip for nicotine absorption.
Experts underscored the need for more research to understand whether the nicotine pouches are good or bad for public health.
“We do not currently know if nicotine pouches are effective in helping people quit smoking – our findings highlight the urgent need for more research on this," said Dr Tattan-Birch.
