Alert raised over nicotine pouch risk to children

AN urgent health warning has been issued about nicotine pouches that are causing children to collapse.

- BY JAMES HOLT

Parents and carers are being told about an 'increasingly popular' new nicotine product that children can buy legally in person and online - without proof of age.

Nicotine pouches, which some suppliers market in colourful packaging similar to sweets to make them more appealing to consumers, have no limits on their strength.

Rochdale Council said this makes the pouches extremely addictive, especially to young people who are more sensitive to their effects.

They are small pouches containing nicotine, flavourings, sweeteners, and plant-based fibres. According to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, they are available in flavours similar to those of vapes, including mango, berry and cherry ice.

The government is now seeking to bring in new laws to ensure young people can't get access to these products.