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Youth use of nicotine products is a public health concern. Flavored products such as vapes and nicotine pouches can be particularly enticing to youth. Nicotine pouches are fairly new. They are sometimes referred to as a “lip pillow” or “upper decky”. Nicotine pouches are placed in the mouth between the cheek and the gum, and the nicotine is absorbed through the mucous membrane of the mouth into the bloodstream. They are used similarly to snus but instead of shredded tobacco leaf in a pouch, nicotine pouches contain nicotine salt in a powdered form. The chemical properties of nicotine salt allow for higher concentrations of nicotine to be consumed. The amount of nicotine in a pouch varies across the different brands.
Common brands include Zyn, owned by Philip Morris International, On!, owned by British American Tobacco, and Rogue, owned by Swisher International. These tobacco companies have invested in creating nicotine pouches as discreet alternatives to traditional tobacco and nicotine consumption methods.
Nicotine pouches come in an array of flavors including citrus, mint, fruit, berry and coffee. Flavors that sound refreshing or sweet are very alluring to young people.
Nicotine pouches can be used very discreetly with no smoke, vapor or need to spit. Along with the flavors, nicotine pouches trend all over social media which can add to the appeal for youth to try them.
Nicotine is not healthy for the developing brain regardless of how it is consumed. The risk of nicotine addiction is higher when a person's brain is still developing. The human brain continues to develop until we reach our mid-twenties. Nicotine use during adolescence can affect the parts of the brain that control attention and learning. Besides nicotine addiction, nicotine consumed in any form is a stimulant and it increases the heart rate and blood pressure. It may also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Nicotine use can also make symptoms of anxiety and depression worse. Nicotine pouches can cause irritation in the mouth and can harm the cells in the mouth increasing the risk of gum disease, oral cancer, and teeth problems.
