Issue: Addiction and substance abuse
Author: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Published: 04/09/2024
Type of publication: Survey, Analysis – Peer reviewed: Yeah
Content: Summary – Definition – Introduction – Major – Related
Synopsis: According to a survey, only 25 percent of adults could identify nicotine pouches if they saw them, but their popularity is skyrocketing. Many products are cleverly packaged to hide the real contents: vapes are presented as highlighters or pens, oral nicotine pouches are presented as mints. Unfortunately, due to lax regulation of the industry, they are very easy for underage youth to obtain and are far from harmless. Regulation of these products is minimal and removing flavourings, banning online sales and raising the price could discourage experimentation among young people and therefore reduce their risk of becoming addicted to nicotine.
Introduction
About half of adults can identify e-cigarettes and vapes, but only one in four would recognize oral nicotine pouches, and these readily available products are increasingly popular among teens and young adults, according to a recent study commissioned by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Hospital and the Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
Main Summary
Oral nicotine pouches are small packets filled with a flavored powder containing nicotine and other chemicals that are placed between the lips and gums. Researchers at the OSUCCC’s James Center for Tobacco Research are concerned that these oral nicotine pouches are so appealing and easy to use that they could be a gateway to future addiction to tobacco products for Generation Z.
Epidemiologist Brittney Keller-Hamilton, PhD, says these products are available in both low and high nicotine concentrations, making them attractive to both new users and people already addicted to nicotine.
“We’re starting to hear from college students that they find it easier to use nicotine pouches at work or in class because they’re easier to conceal. Plus, they don’t require you to spit out excess saliva like older oral tobacco products (dip, snuff),” said Keller-Hamilton, who studies nicotine pouch use and regulation at the Tobacco Research Center. “One of my biggest concerns with nicotine pouches is that as young people experiment with these products, they may not find them satisfying enough to continue to satisfy their growing craving for nicotine and then move on to more harmful products.”
He notes that regulation of these products is minimal and that removing flavorings, banning online sales and raising the price could discourage young people from experimenting and therefore reduce their risk of becoming addicted to nicotine.
Continued…
As students return to school, Keller-Hamilton warns parents to pay attention to what’s in their teens’ backpacks.
“Many products are cleverly packaged to hide the actual contents – vapes are used as highlighters or pens, oral nicotine pouches are used as mints. Unfortunately, due to lax regulation of the industry, they are very easy for underage youth to obtain and are anything but harmless. We know that when people start using any nicotine product, including nicotine pouches, before their brain has finished developing, this sets their brain up for a stronger addiction to nicotine and also sets it up for addiction to other substances,” Keller-Hamilton said. “It’s so important for parents to talk to their children about the dangers of these products and to seek help from their pediatrician if they are concerned about nicotine addiction.”
List of Carcinogens and Additives in Cigarettes: An extensive list of ingredients found in cigarettes, including a list of chemical poisons and cancer-causing additives, as well as the health effects of tobacco addiction.
Results and methods of the study
For this survey, 1,000 adults aged 18 years or older were asked about their ability to recognize nicotine products with and without the visual aid of packaging, as well as their perceptions of the health effects of these products.
A recent Ohio State University survey found that 70% of adults believe nicotine pouches are unhealthy and addictive, but only 25% say they can identify a nicotine pouch by its packaging. The survey also found that people between the ages of 18 and 29 are more likely to know someone who uses nicotine pouches than older adults.
This study was conducted on behalf of OSUCCC – James by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus is a national probability-based survey conducted twice a month.
Data collection was conducted from July 19 to 22, 2024, among a sample of 1,008 respondents.
The survey was conducted via web (n=976) and telephone (n=32) and was administered in English.
The margin of error for the total number of respondents is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%.
All SSRS Omnibus Opinion Panel data are weighted to represent the target population of U.S. adults aged 18 years and older.
Nicotine patch plus nicotine lozenge best for quitting smoking: A nicotine patch plus a nicotine lozenge appears to be the most effective way to help smokers quit.
Attribution/Source(s):
This peer-reviewed publication was selected for publication by the editors of Disabled World due to its high relevance to the disability community. Original author: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centerand published on 09/04/2024, content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarification, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center He can be contacted at wexnermedical.osu.edu. NOTE: Disabled World does not offer any warranty or endorsement related to this item.
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Cite this page (APA): Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (September 4, 2024) – Generation Z is drawn to nicotine consumption through oral nicotine pouches. Disabled worldRetrieved September 5, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/pharmaceutical/addiction/nicotine-pouches.php
Permanent link: Generation Z is attracted to nicotine consumption through oral nicotine pouches: Only 25 per cent of adults could identify nicotine pouches if they saw them, a survey has found, but their popularity is skyrocketing.
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