Concerns over new nicotine alternative

CONCERNS have been expressed about growing numbers of minors in the county using an addictive product that allows smokeless nicotine absorption.

These pouches of powdered nicotine also appear to be popular amongst amateur sportspeople who utlise it as a performance enhancement.

They are placed on the gum under the upper lip and left for up to two hours, allowing the nicotine to take effect by entering the bloodstream.

The product’s appeal has led to its adoption by teenagers who seek a tobacco-free alternative for relaxation.

It can be bought locally at grocery stores or vape shops, with one shop selling pouches with a strength of 20mg nicotine, equivalent to one pack of cigarettes.

However, certain online shops sell pouches with far higher strengths, some as high as 50mg of nicotine.

Due to a loophole in the law, it is not illegal for under 18s to buy the nicotine pouches, as they are not classed as a ‘tobacco product’.

This is made even easier by online shops and social media sites allowing children to purchase these products without age verification.

One secondary school student, who wished to remain anonymous, said they decided to try it out as an alternative to vaping.

“People say the pouches of nicotine makes them feel calm and relaxed when they use it,” they said, adding that, unlike vaping, it could be used indoors.

Despite its growing popularity, the powdered nicotine product has raised concerns about its long term health effects and accessibility to minors.

Candy-flavoured nicotine powders are sold in tubs containing just 20 pouches for as little as £4.50, meaning children can buy a huge quantity of nicotine relatively cheaply.

“There are a good few people my age and even younger using it, but I mostly see it used within sporting groups,” continued the student.

“It is definitely more common within sports as I think it is seen to be less harmful than vaping and doesn’t effect your respiratory system.”

“The pouches are very easy to get, in fact it’s possibly easier to purchase than vapes,” continued the student.

“I do get asked for ID sometimes, but not always – it depends on which shop you go to.”

Alice Wiseman, policy lead for addiction for the Association of Directors of Public Health, called for new regulation to stop products such as powdered nicotine being sold to minors.

“The sale of these extremely harmful and addictive nicotine pods to children and young people is completely unacceptable,” she said.

“There is currently no regulation in place to stop these products being sold to under-18s, which leaves them vulnerable to the targeted marketing used to entice them into buying and using such a damaging product.

“Greater regulation needs to be introduced by the government to protect children and young people, to stop nicotine pods and other similar harmful products being advertised as something fun and appropriate for a person under the age of 18.”