One in eight of 14- to 17-year-olds in Great Britain say they have used nicotine pouches
Survey adds to experts’ concern about addiction risk and highlights support for plan to ban sales to under-18s
TL;DR
- 13% of teenagers aged 14-17 have used nicotine pouches, with 30% using them weekly.
- Users typically get pouches from friends or buy them in shops without age restrictions.
- Health experts are concerned about nicotine addiction and potential mouth/dental problems.
- The UK government's tobacco and vapes bill will ban sales to under-18s and limit marketing.
- Nearly half of surveyed teens have seen nicotine pouches advertised, mainly in shops and on social media.
- 73% of teens want restrictions on promotion, sale, and use of nicotine pouches.
- Concerns include higher nicotine uptake than cigarettes and increased arterial stiffness.
- Industry representatives highlight pouches' role in helping adult smokers quit and oppose measures that could undermine smoking alternatives.