Tag Archives: nicotine

Nicotine pouch flavors are said to increase addictiveness, according to some sources

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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.

The nicotine pouch is placed between the lips and gums, allowing direct absorption into the bloodstream – Getty

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

Experts Explain the Harmful Effects of Nicotine Pouches

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It has been common knowledge for many years that smoking is highly detrimental to health. Quitting smoking or avoiding starting in the first place are among the most effective measures individuals can take to safeguard their well-being.

Nations worldwide are implementing comprehensive strategies to eradicate smoking from the realm of normal and socially acceptable behaviors, shedding light on the reality that smoking is a lethal addiction.

The reduction in smoking rates is attributed to initiatives such as increased tobacco taxes, graphic warnings on packaging, workplace smoking bans, and the cessation of alluring tobacco advertising campaigns.

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Recent data from the UK Office for National Statistics indicates that 12.9% of adults in the UK are current smokers. This marks a substantial decline compared to the 30% prevalence in the early 1990s. The success in tobacco control efforts is evident in this statistic.

Nevertheless, nicotine addiction continues to thrive as a lucrative industry. Rather than fading away quietly, the tobacco sector has introduced a new array of products appealing primarily to the youth demographic: flavored disposable e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn devices, and their latest novelty item—nicotine pouches.

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Nicotine pouches are typically packaged in small, pocket-sized containers resembling tea bags. They consist of a blend of vegetable fiber, sugar, flavorings, and, of course, nicotine.

Nicotine can either be synthesized in a laboratory or extracted from the tobacco plant. These pouches come in various flavors ranging from fruity to sweet and in different nicotine strengths, some containing more nicotine than regular cigarettes.

The user places the small pouch between their lips and gums, allowing the nicotine to be absorbed. Once the nicotine is fully absorbed, the pouch is discarded and replaced. These pouches are discreet, emit a pleasant aroma, and unlike chewing tobacco, do not require spitting post-use.

Although nicotine pouches are relatively new, they bear similarities to Scandinavian “snus,” the key distinction being the absence of tobacco in pouches. This regulatory loophole allows pouches to dodge tobacco product rules and regulations that apply to cigarettes.

Unlike cigarettes, pouches can legally be sold to individuals under 18 in the UK due to this lack of regulation. Other countries, such as the US, have taken steps to ban or restrict pouch sales to adults only.

What do we know about the health risks of pouches?

While nicotine pouches are gaining popularity globally, limited data exists to assess their health risks as they are relatively new in the market. Nonetheless, the World Health Organization advocates for a cautious approach emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health outcomes while permitting the sale and promotion of nicotine pouches, especially concerning the health of young individuals.

Usage of pouches exposes individuals to toxic nicotine, increasing the risk of nicotine addiction and potentially leading to the use of other products like e-cigarettes or cigarettes.

Aside from the addictive nature of nicotine, its consumption in pouch form can impact adolescent brain development and overall health, including cognitive functions. High doses of nicotine may induce symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, and abdominal cramps, particularly in individuals inexperienced with nicotine exposure.

It might be tempting to compare the health effects of nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products to deem one product “safer” than another. However, 85% of the UK population never smoke; hence, young non-smokers would not derive health benefits from initiating pouch use.

Moreover, there’s no current evidence supporting the efficacy of pouches in smoking or vaping cessation. Rather than aiding cessation efforts, individuals who smoke or vape may resort to pouches when restricted from smoking or vaping easily, potentially increasing nicotine intake.

A handful of multinational corporations dominate the global tobacco industry, with British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International being the two largest manufacturers and sellers of nicotine pouches. Resembling vintage cigarette advertisements, pouch promotions employ motorsport, celebrity endorsements, and various lifestyle marketing techniques.

Tobacco industry practices have been alarmingly proficient in harmful marketing strategies. The widespread availability of addictive nicotine products and the absence of stringent regulations on pouch advertising and sales pose a genuine risk of escalating pouch use and nicotine addiction among the youth.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The dangers of nicotine pouches for children: why they can pose a significant threat

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It has been recognized for many years that smoking is extremely detrimental to health, and stopping smoking or avoiding it altogether is one of the most effective ways to safeguard one’s well-being.

Governments globally are implementing extensive measures to eliminate smoking as a norm and socially acceptable practice, shedding light on the reality of smoking as a dangerous addiction.

Increased tobacco taxes, graphic warnings on packaging, workplace smoking bans, and the discontinuation of glamorous tobacco advertising campaigns have all contributed to the decline in smoking rates.

The UK Office for National Statistics reports: In the UK, 12.9% of adults are current smokers.This marks a significant drop from the 30 percent in the early 1990s. Tobacco control is undoubtedly a triumph of public health.

Nevertheless, nicotine addiction remains a thriving industry. Instead of fading away, the tobacco industry has introduced a new array of products aimed primarily at young individuals: flavored disposable e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn products, and the latest novelty item, nicotine pouches.

Read more:

Nicotine pouches are typically packaged in small round containers that are convenient to carry around. The pouches resemble small tea bags and contain vegetable fiber, sugar, flavorings, and, of course, nicotine.

Nicotine can be synthetically produced or directly extracted from the tobacco plant. These pouches come in various flavors, from fruity and berry to sweet and cocktail, and they offer different levels of nicotine strength, with some pouches having higher nicotine content than regular cigarettes.

The small pouch is placed between the lips and gums to absorb the nicotine in the mouth. After absorption, the pouch is discarded and replaced with a new one. These pouches are discreet, have a pleasant smell, and unlike oral tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, they don’t require spitting like in movies depicting the old West.

While relatively new in the market, these pouches are similar to Scandinavian “snus” – yet snus contains tobacco while pouches do not. This difference is vital as pouches often evade regulations, bypassing laws and rules that govern tobacco products and cigarettes.

This lack of regulation means that, unlike cigarettes, pouches can legally be sold to individuals under 18 in the UK. Other countries, like the US, are already taking steps to ban or restrict the sale of pouches to adults only.

What do we know about the health risks of pouches?

Although nicotine pouches are gaining popularity worldwide, there is limited data on their health risks due to their recent introduction. However, the World Health Organization advocates a precautionary approach by prioritizing nicotine whenever the sale and promotion of nicotine pouches are permitted. The health of young people.

Using pouches exposes individuals to toxic nicotine, can lead to addiction, and may encourage the use of other products like e-cigarettes or cigarettes.

In addition to addiction, nicotine has effects on adolescent brain development, impacting learning outcomes. High nicotine doses can induce symptoms like dizziness, headaches, nausea, and abdominal cramps, particularly in those new to nicotine exposure.

It may be tempting to compare the health effects of nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products to determine which is “safer.” However, 85% of the UK population never smokes, and young individuals who have never smoked and never will not derive any health benefits from starting to use pouches.

At present, there is no evidence to suggest that pouches aid in smoking or vaping cessation. Instead of helping users quit smoking, individuals may resort to using pouches in situations where smoking or vaping is not feasible, such as during flights, at school, or work, resulting in increased nicotine consumption.

The global tobacco industry, dominated by a few multinational corporations, including British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International, produces and markets nicotine pouches. Using tactics reminiscent of old cigarette advertisements, pouches are promoted through motorsports, celebrity endorsements, and various lifestyle marketing approaches.

The tobacco industry is skilled at dangerous marketing. With addictive nicotine products widely available to young individuals and minimal regulation in the advertising and sale of pouches, there is a real risk of a surge in pouch use and nicotine addiction among young people.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com