In recent years, nicotine pouches have become increasingly popular, particularly among those looking to quit smoking. However, their appeal to younger users without a history of smoking complicates their perceived benefits and drawbacks.
Nicotine pouches are small microfiber packets designed to be placed between the gum and cheek, delivering nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes or chewing tobacco.
Dr. Hasmeena Kathuria, the director of the Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a professor in pulmonary and critical care medicine, discussed the implications of nicotine pouch use on WPR’s “Wisconsin Today.” While research on the long-term effects is still ongoing, Kathuria suggests that pouches can serve as a harm-reduction tool for smokers. “I think it’s really important to consider the population that you’re talking about,” she said. “Somebody (who) is smoking, switching to nicotine pouches — it’s likely a harm reduction strategy.”
However, she notes that these pouches pose a risk to individuals who have never used tobacco. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently considering whether to permit the marketing of Zyn nicotine pouches as a lower-risk alternative to traditional tobacco products.
Despite a significant decline in cigarette smoking over the decades—from 42 percent of American adults in 1965 to about 11 percent in 2022, according to the American Lung Association—the use of nicotine pouches among high school students is on the rise. Kathuria highlights that usage among 10-12th graders has increased from 3 percent to 5 percent, making it the fastest-growing nicotine product, with sales surging over 200 percent since 2023.
The Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention is currently recruiting participants for a study on the efficacy of nicotine pouches as a smoking cessation tool. Kathuria emphasizes that the advantages of pouches over cigarettes diminish if users continue smoking while using them. She points out that dual use of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes can increase lung cancer risk fourfold. “If it’s an off-ramp for someone who’s smoking, it has to be a complete off-ramp,” Kathuria stated.
