New rat studies published in the Journal of Peer Reviews indicate that the addiction to nicotine pouches and other oral products may be influenced by flavoring (Nicotine and cigarette research).
Nicotine pouches, small bags placed between the gum and lips to provide nicotine without cigarettes, have seen a surge in popularity. Sales in the US spiked from 126 million units between August and December 2019 to 888 million units between January and March 2022 (source).
The growth of nicotine pouches has been rapid in recent years. In 2024, Zyn, the top-selling brand in the US, sold 385 million units, a 50% increase from 2023 (Forbes).
Recent research suggests that the flavors and sweeteners used in oral nicotine products can significantly impact nicotine consumption. In experiments with rats, combinations of flavoring and sweeteners with nicotine solutions were tested to measure the resulting intake.
“We aimed to investigate the influence of sweeteners and flavors on nicotine usage,” said researcher Dr. Dennis Bagdas from Yale University School of Medicine. BBC Science Focus. “While many oral nicotine products contain these additives, their effects on selection behavior and preferences are not fully understood.”
Prior research by Bagdas and colleagues had already shown that sweetened nicotine solutions increase consumption. In this study, rats were given plain, sweet, flavored, or sweetened nicotine options.
As expected, both male and female rats showed a preference for sweetened solutions, with notable gender differences. Females consumed more nicotine when paired with simple sweeteners, while males favored nicotine with cinnamaldehyde.
According to the researchers, this suggests that flavors can impact nicotine consumption in men more than women. The study also revealed that menthol flavors led to increased consumption in men but not in women.
While the study was conducted on rats, Bagdas noted that rodents and humans share similar reward systems, offering insights into human behavior. Further studies in humans are needed to confirm these findings.
“Rodents have well-established reward systems that make them a valuable model for studying the effects of additives on nicotine consumption,” she explained.
“By isolating the impact of specific sweeteners and flavors on nicotine preferences, we can gain a better understanding of how these factors influence consumption, separate from external influences like marketing and social factors.”
The study highlights the potential need for regulatory measures as flavored nicotine pouches are widely available in various forms.
“Our findings on the appeal of oral nicotine products and additives that may heighten dependency risk can guide harm reduction strategies and regulatory policies,” said Bagdas.
“This study underscores the significance of sweetness in oral nicotine preferences, suggesting a need for public health measures to regulate sweeteners and flavors in these products.”
Bagdas also stressed the importance of further research on other ingredients in oral nicotine products that could impact consumption, such as pH modifiers, nicotine sources, and formulations.
About our experts
Dennis Bagdas, DVM, PhD, is a research scientist at Yale School of Medicine specializing in behavioral neuropharmacology. She collaborates with the Yale Center for the Study of Tobacco Product Use and Addiction (Yale TCors) to study nicotine addiction behaviors in adolescents and adults and examine the effects of tobacco ingredients on nicotine intake.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
