Awareness of nicotine pouches on rise in teens

THERE is growing awareness of nicotine pouches among children and teenagers, a charity has warned.

- JANE KIRBY [e-mail]

The pouches, which contain addictive nicotine and often sweeteners and flavourings, can be bought cheaply and are often used as a tobacco substitute. There is a lack of evidence on the health effects of the pouches, which are placed under the top lip. The current law means people of any age can buy them.

In February, trading standards teams in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset warned they were seeing a “significant growth” in illegal versions containing potentially dangerous levels of nicotine.

A new YouGov survey commissioned by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) has found a growing awareness of nicotine pouches among under-18s - rising from 38% in 2024 to 43% in 2025.

Almost 4% of teenagers also report trying the pouches, according to the poll of 2,746 youngsters aged 11 to 17.