Experts Discover Pouches Are Revolutionizing Nicotine Consumption Among the Young
A recent press release from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California sounded the alarm on a concerning shift in youth nicotine consumption habits. Titled “Rapid Surge in Nicotine Pouch Use Among American Teenagers,” the report highlighted a staggering near-doubling of nicotine pouch usage among U.S. high school students within just one year, spanning 2023 to 2024.
Lead researcher Dae-Hee Han emphasized the urgency of addressing this emerging public health issue. “Similar to the initial rise of flavored e-cigarettes, this new form of oral nicotine delivery is quickly gaining traction, especially among younger demographics,” Han noted. “We need immediate action to understand its long-term impacts and develop effective prevention strategies.”
The study, which sampled responses from approximately 3,300 randomly selected high school students out of a total 10,000-strong survey pool, uncovered some eye-opening statistics. Lifetime use of nicotine pouches jumped from 3.0% in 2023 to 5.4% in 2024, while 30-day usage rates climbed from 1.3% to 2.6%. Alarmingly, the number of teens using both nicotine pouches and E-Cigarettes simultaneously also increased, with lifetime dual usage rising from 2.7% to 4.7%, and 30-day dual usage going up from 1.1% to 1.7%.
Conversely, trends showed a decline in exclusive e-cigarette use. Lifetime use dropped from 25.7% to 22.0%, and 30-day use fell from 12.3% to 10.1%. Usage of non-tobacco nicotine products overall also saw a marginal decrease, with lifetime use going from 28.8% to 27.4%, and 30-day use declining from 13.6% to 12.7%.
According to the research team, these trends signal a significant shift in the types of nicotine products favored by teenagers rather than an overall reduction in non-tobacco nicotine use. This underscores the need for updated public health policies and targeted interventions to safeguard youth against the risks associated with nicotine addiction.
