Scots mum issues urgent warning after son, 13, became hooked on ‘trendy drug' that's as addictive as cigarettes
'DEVASTATED' Scots mum issues urgent warning after son, 13, became hooked on 'trendy drug' that's as addictive as cigarettes
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A SCOTS mum has issued an urgent warning after her 13-year-old son has become hooked on a trendy drug, saying: "It's like living with an addict".
The distraught healthcare worker, from Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, said her boy, who has autism, got on 'snus' after being forced to buy nicotine products for other teens.
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The 13-year-old boy has become addicted to snus
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She said youngsters, some of whom she claims carry knives, "coerced" and "manipulated" her boy into buying vapes for other teens, the Daily Record reports.
Her son has also now been caught stealing money to buy vapes and tobacco pouches.
The small rectangular bag, also known as 'snus', is usually filled with powdered tobacco.
It's placed between the upper lip and gum, where nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream.
The 41-year-old said: "It's like living with an addict now because that's what these things are - addictive.
"His personality has changed. He used to be quite calm but now he goes into a meltdown if he can't get a vape or snus.
"I'm absolutely devastated. My son is only 13. He's autistic and vulnerable and yet he's been coerced and manipulated by older kids who should know better.
"It is terrifying. He stole £170 from us and that is so out of character. It is unbelievably stressful and yet nothing is being done."
A survey by Action on Smoking and Health found that 43 per cent of 11-17 year olds knew of the pouches - a rise from 38 per cent in 2024.
And nearly four per cent of children in the age group tried the pouches - which is around 210,00 youngsters.
Sam Wardrop calls out footballers who use 'snus'
Unlike cigarettes, these pouches deliver a massive nicotine hit straight into the bloodstream, keeping users hooked.
Some contain up to 150mg of nicotine - which equals an entire pack of smokes in one go.
Nicotine pouch use is rising fast, especially among young people and TikTokkers.
Footballers are also big users - one in five pros reportedly rely on them, according to 2024 research.
The former England footballer Jamie Vardy admitted to using them in his autobiography and said they helped him to 'chill out'.
'A lot more footballers use them than people realise and some lads even play with them during matches,' he wrote.
Despite being billed as a smoking alternative, nicotine pouches are not NHS-approved like e-cigarettes are.
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