Nicotine pouches

What is it?

White pouches (tobacco-free) with a high nicotine content, to be placed between the lip and gum.

Not to be confused with SNUS, which is a similar product but contains tobacco and is banned throughout the European Union, with a few exceptions: Scandinavian countries.

Risks

Nicotine addiction

• Like all nicotine products, they can quickly lead to a strong addiction.

Mouth irritation

Prolonged or excessive use can cause:

• Irritation
• Burning or inflammation in the mouth
• White lesions may appear on the gums, particularly where the product is applied.

Cardiovascular effects

Nicotine can increase:

• Heart rate and blood pressure, which can be risky for people with heart problems.

Risk of nicotine poisoning

• Cases of nicotine poisoning in children and young people have been reported in Luxembourg and France. These were caused by the consumption of high-dose nicotine pouches.

Use among young people and non-smokers

• The risk of nicotine initiation among people who have not previously smoked.

Unknown long-term effects

• As pouches are relatively new, their long-term health effects have not yet been fully studied.