What You Should Know About Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine pouches have gained recent popularity as an alternative to chewing tobacco. Unlike chewing tobacco, nicotine pouches don’t require users to spit. Instead, these products are placed on the inside of the cheek or under the tongue. They don’t contain tobacco, but they do contain highly addictive nicotine, sweeteners and plant-based fibers.
Brands of nicotine pouches include ZYN, On! and VELO. According to the ZYN website, nicotine pouches are only for adult tobacco and nicotine consumers age 21 and older; it states that if you do not currently use tobacco or nicotine, nicotine pouches are not for you. However, these products are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a type of nicotine replacement therapy.
This article explains the risks of using nicotine pouches and provides guidance on how to quit using nicotine and tobacco products.
The Risks of Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine is highly addictive. Although it’s considered a safer alternative to tobacco, health experts warn that it’s certainly not healthy. In fact, research from the National Library of Medicine shows that nicotine increases the risk of cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. It also has negative impacts on the immune and reproductive systems. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, there is no research that indicates nicotine pouches are a safe or effective way to quit smoking. Side effects associated with the use of these products include:
Gum irritation
Sore mouth
Hiccups
Nausea
Nicotine addiction
The use of these products may increase the risk of relapse with other tobacco products. Before reaching for a nicotine pouch, health experts advise you to consider using an FDA-approved form of nicotine replacement therapy to help you manage nicotine withdrawal and cigarette cravings. Such products include nicotine skin patches, chewing gums, lozenges, inhalers and sprays.
Quitting Nicotine and Tobacco
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that tobacco is the leading preventable cause of cancer and cancer deaths. Ask your doctor for help with quitting smoking or managing nicotine withdrawal. They can help you understand which nicotine products are approved for quitting tobacco and nicotine use. Here are additional practices that can help you stop smoking:
Join a quit-smoking support group.
Call a quitline, such as 800-QUIT-NOW or 877-44U-QUIT.
Use a program like SmokefreeTXT (text “QUIT” to 47848).
Avoid situations, people and places that make you crave tobacco and nicotine products.
Ask your family and friends to help hold you accountable.
Find physically and mentally healthy ways to deal with urges.
Practice healthy habits, such as exercising, eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep.
Work on positive thinking.
Conclusion
Although nicotine pouches may seem like a convenient alternative to smoking or chewing tobacco, they aren’t an FDA-approved form of nicotine replacement. Using them could cause you to relapse with other nicotine products, such as cigarettes. More research may be available on these products in the coming years. Speak to a health care professional about safe and effective types of nicotine replacement therapy and for more information on quitting smoking.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.