Latest news with #nicotinepouches
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Traveller left shocked after flight attendant demands plane passenger gets rid of popular item
A plane passenger left social media users shocked after revealing they were instructed by a flight attendant to 'spit out' a popular product used by a growing number of adults. In a post uploaded to the popular Reddit community, r/Delta, the passenger detailed their exchange on a Delta flight, adding that he complied 'right away' in getting rid of the item. The US-based flyer, who goes by u/Aquahammer, said that the item in question was a tobacco-free nicotine pouch. Marketed as a smoke-free alternative to traditional products, nicotine pouches are designed to be placed between the gum and lip, where nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream. Brands such as ZYN, VELO, Nordic Spirit and Rogue have gained popularity in recent years, with roughly 1.1 per cent of British adults currently using nicotine pouches, while 6 per cent have tried them, according to Action on Smoking and Health. In the Reddit post, the passenger shared: 'Got told to spit my Zyn out on a flight, I really didn't know that was a thing? Delta flight, first class (not that that matters).' The person added: 'They brought a cup out and asked me to spit my zyn out. They said it was because it was a tobacco product. I didn't put up a fight and complied right away. Was just wondering if this was an FAA thing I didn't know about?' The post has since amassed over 80 comments as fellow Redditors shared their thoughts about using nicotine pouches during flights. One person wrote: 'Delta policy bans "smokeless tobacco" products. Zyn is of course not a smokeless tobacco product (no tobacco), but I wouldn't want to get pedantic with a flight attendant. So just be more sneaky about it next time.' However, another challenged: 'It's rather confusing. What constitutes a "smokeless product"? Are they implying smokeless tobacco products? Zyn, for instance, is not a tobacco product at all - its nicotine is synthetically derived. 'I also wonder why nicotine pouches are not allowed on flights. I understand chewing tobacco since you need to dispose of it in an unhygienic way. But nicotine pouches are unobtrusive, no less hygienic than gum, don't produce vapors or other noticeable smells...' A third contributor hit back: 'Tobacco or not, does it cause you to spit into a bottle or cup that could spill or be left stuffed in the seat pocket that someone else has to clean up? Then I'd say it doesn't matter what you call it.' One person warned the passenger: 'It's allowed but be discreet, I see many people using them on flights myself included and as long as you're not doing it right in front of an FA you're fine. However, one plane passenger shared: 'I had a FA confirm that Zyns are not allowed which is crazy. I was in Delta one and she told me they aren't allowed but she doesn't care. I think she just wanted me to hide it from the other FAs. I don't get it though.' A United Airlines flyer added: 'I was on a United flight a few days ago and the shopping/menu magazine in the seatback actually had a Zyn add in it. It said something like "Flight ready".' It comes after another plane passenger reignited an etiquette debate about wearing shoes and socks on flights in 2024. Sharing their thoughts on a post to Reddit, the user - who posted under MilitaryBaker - sparked a fierce debate over the matter. Posting to the Unpopular Opinion subreddit, the disgruntled flyer wrote: 'You should not be allowed to take off your shoes or socks on a plane.' 'Planes are already one of the most horribly smelling places you can be,' the user wrote. They went on to acknowledge that although it is more 'comfortable,' some people's feet are 'literally intolerable.'
The Independent
17-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
More and more children aware of nicotine pouches, charity warns
There is growing awareness of nicotine pouches among children and teenagers, a charity has warned. The pouches, which contain addictive nicotine and often sweeteners and flavourings, can be bought cheaply and are frequently used as a tobacco substitute. There is currently a lack of evidence on the health effects of the pouches, which are placed under the top lip. The current law means people of any age can also buy them. In February, trading standards teams in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset warned they were seeing a 'significant growth' in illegal versions containing potentially dangerous levels of nicotine. A new YouGov survey commissioned by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) has found a growing awareness of nicotine pouches among under-18s – rising from 38% in 2024 to 43% in 2025. Almost 4% of teenagers also report trying the pouches, according to the poll of 2,746 youngsters aged 11 to 17. Ash data also shows that between 2023 and 2025, nicotine pouch use has increased among younger adults aged 18 to 34. Some 2.6% of 18 to 34-year-olds currently use them, compared to 0.2% of those aged over 55. Ash said that while nicotine pouches are less harmful than smoking, there are currently no limits on the strength of the nicotine, and few controls over their marketing and advertising. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently going through Parliament which will ban the advertising and sponsorship of all vapes and other nicotine products (such as nicotine pouches) and ban all vapes and nicotine products (and non-nicotine vapes) from being sold to under-18s. Conservative MP Bob Blackman, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Smoking and Health, said: 'Many of the big nicotine pouch brands are owned by tobacco companies with decades of experience targeting our children. 'The longer it takes for this Government to regulate, the more time the tobacco industry has to promote their products to the next generation.' Ash said the Government must now prioritise the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Ash, said: 'The surge in teen awareness and growing levels of use in young adults over the last two years indicates that the industry's marketing strategies are working. 'Products are highly promoted in shops and on social media with football stars and male influencers used to further raise their profile. 'Nicotine pouches are very likely to be less harmful than smoking. However, they must be properly regulated.' Tobacco and vapes lead for Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Kate Pike, said: 'I hear from trading standards teams across the country who are getting reports from concerned citizens who have seen teenagers being sold these products. 'However, there is no action we can take until the law is changed as no offence is being committed.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'Our landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the sale of nicotine pouches to under-18s and stop vapes and nicotine products from being deliberately promoted and advertised to children. 'The Bill will place nicotine pouches under the same advertising restrictions as tobacco and provides powers to regulate their nicotine limits, flavours, packaging and how they are displayed. 'It will stop the next generation from getting hooked on nicotine and put an end to the cycle of addiction and disadvantage.'
National Post
17-06-2025
- Health
- National Post
Smoke Free Sweden: Oral Nicotine Pouches Are Game-changer for Women in Sweden's Smoke-free Success
Article content STRASBOURG, France — New research from Smoke Free Sweden reveals oral nicotine pouches are a game-changer in Sweden's path to becoming the world's first smoke-free nation – and are driving unprecedented success among women. Article content The report, Power in a Pouch Article content , launched today in Strasbourg, shows pouches have been a decisive catalyst in Sweden's public health success – especially for women, who are quitting smoking faster and more effectively than ever. Article content Since their introduction in 2016, tobacco-free pouches have: Article content Helped to accelerate the decline in smoking for both genders, with a nearly 200% rise in quit rates among women. Outperformed all other quit aids; women ranked pouches nearly three times higher than vapes and 56% higher than gum. Been identified by the research as the preferred quit aid for all ex-smokers for being clean, socially considerate and stigma-free. Driven a 49% drop in smoking among women, who historically quit at lower rates than men. Article content 'The evidence is crystal clear: nicotine pouches are the most effective way to help smokers – especially women – quit,' said report co-author Dr. Marewa Glover, a behavioural scientist from New Zealand. Article content 'Health data and women's testimonials show pouches are safe, socially acceptable, and fit modern lifestyles. They're pragmatic, effective, and our best hope for a smoke-free future.' Article content Sweden's harm reduction strategy stands in contrast to restrictive approaches elsewhere. Rather than banning safer products, Sweden embraced them – recognising they are far less harmful than cigarettes. Article content Sweden's smoking rate is now 5.3%, just above the 5% smoke-free benchmark. Male lung cancer deaths are 61% below the EU average; total cancer deaths, 34% lower. Article content Report co-author Dr. Delon Human warned that excessive regulation could jeopardise these gains, especially for women. Article content 'Misguided bans are blocking access to products that save lives,' said Dr. Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden and former Secretary-General of the World Medical Association. Article content 'That's not just bad policy – it's a public health disaster. Women deserve access to the quit aid that works best.' Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Rise in awareness of nicotine pouches among children, survey suggests
Young people under the age of 18 are more aware of nicotine pouches, new data to a survey commissioned by charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), the percentage of 11-17 year olds who said they knew of the pouches grew from 38% in 2024 to 43% this survey indicates nearly 4% of children in this age group have tried a nicotine pouch, equivalent to 210,000 young is calling on the government to prioritise the passing of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will ban the marketing of nicotine pouches and their sale to under Department of Health and Social Care said the bill "will stop the next generation from getting hooked on nicotine". The bill is making its way through Parliament and is currently in the House of CEO Hazel Cheeseman said: "There is currently no date for the next phase of the legislation and therefore no clear timeframe for when it will become illegal to sell a 9-year-old a nicotine pouch. "The government must make passing this bill a priority."Nicotine pouches, often sold in cans, are small tea-bag-like rectangles that contain white powder that releases nicotine into the bloodstream when placed between a person's upper lip and gum. They do not contain are less harmful than smoking and some people use them as a way to quit smoking, though they are not recommended by the warns that the lack of limits on the strength of the nicotine put into pouches, along with the absence of age restrictions on their sales, make them a highly addictive nicotine product that anyone can buy, including children. It's 'terrifying' Jasmine Primrose, a teacher at a high school in north London, started a petition calling for greater regulation of nicotine pouches after seeing a 17-year-old pupil being offered a free can of pouches at a corner shop next to their school."They're literally giving nicotine addiction out for free to children and I think that's terrifying. I think there should definitely be an age range on that," she told the said while vapes were still the bigger offender at schools, she had confiscated a number of nicotine pouches from students."A lot of parents aren't aware of the issue, parents don't even know that it's happening most of the time," she said. Ash's survey of 13,000 adults and 2,700 11 to 17-year-olds was carried out by YouGov. It suggests there has been an increase in the number of adults aged between 18 and 34 using the pouches since 2023 - though the overall percentage of the population who uses them remains survey indicates 2.6% of 18-34 year olds reported using pouches in 2025, up from 1.2% in also suggests there is a strong gender divide among nicotine pouch users, with men under 40 three times more likely to use pouches than women of the same 24-year-old man who has recently quit using nicotine pouches is Kofi Bernson."I had them every single day in every social situation, while driving, whilst at work, in a meeting… you could have them anywhere and no-one will know, and that is one of… the most addictive aspects of it", he told the BBC. He said while he found them effective in helping him to quit smoking, quitting nicotine pouches was much harder, and it took him three or four attempts to do said he also experienced side-effects like headaches, heart flutters, sore gums, a decrease in his appetite and feeling is relatively little research into the potential health implications associated with nicotine pouches, but a 2023 review carried out by the British Dental Journal said mouth and throat soreness, mouth ulcers, hiccups and coughing were well-documented side-effects. A study published in 2024 in Germany also found their use can have cardiovascular effects, such as an increased heart rate.A research paper co-published by Ash in 2024 said that for people who smoke, switching to nicotine pouches could have positive health effects. While pouches are less harmful than smoking, they are highly addictive and not recommended for teenagers or non-smokers. Ash CEO, Ms Cheeseman said "the surge in teen awareness and growing levels of use in young adults over the last two years indicates that the industry's marketing strategies are working."Products are highly promoted in shops and on social media with football stars and male influencers used to further raise their profile," she said.A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the proposed bill would stop nicotine products from being advertised to children."The Bill will place nicotine pouches under the same advertising restrictions as tobacco and provides powers to regulate their nicotine limits, flavours, packaging and how they are displayed."But the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, a professional association which represents trading standards professionals, said there is little that can be done to stop the sale of nicotine pouches to children until the law is changed. "I hear from trading standards teams across the country who are getting reports from concerned citizens who have seen teenagers being sold these products," Tobacco and vapes lead Katie Pike said."However, there is no action we can take until the law is changed as no offence is being committed."
Khaleej Times
17-06-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE approves tobacco-free nicotine pouches to help smokers quit cigarettes
Tobacco-free nicotine pouches will be legally available for purchase in the UAE starting July 29, when a new law regulating the product comes into effect. A UAE Cabinet resolution outlines the technical standards for this smoking alternative, designed to help people quit cigarettes. Dr Sanam Mallick, Consultant in Family Medicine at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi, described the pouches as small, smokeless products that contain nicotine but no tobacco. 'People place them between their gum and lips to absorb nicotine without smoking or chewing tobacco. They're popular as a discreet alternative to cigarettes or chewing tobacco. Nicotine pouches contain nicotine, the same chemical that we find in tobacco,' he told Khaleej Times. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Nicotine is an addictive substance. These pouches release dopamine, the 'feel-good hormone', which helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, thereby aiding smoking cessation. 'Nicotine pouches can be a valuable tool for some people trying to quit smoking, but whether they're a good option compared to other smoking cessation methods depends on a few factors,' Dr Mallick explained. One benefit is the absence of smoke inhalation, which significantly lowers the risk of lung damage compared to traditional smoking. However, like all nicotine products, the pouches can be addictive. 'They still contain nicotine, so they don't remove the addiction, just the smoking behaviour. (Additionally), because they're relatively new, the long-term health impacts are still being studied,' he added. On their effectiveness, Dr Mallick noted that while some smokers report success in using pouches to gradually reduce or replace cigarettes, others struggle with the continued oral habit. 'Others may find the oral fixation or habit harder to break, since pouches still involve placing something in the mouth (similar to chewing tobacco).' Traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) such as patches, gum, and lozenges are known to increase quit rates by 50 to 70 per cent. 'Nicotine pouches might offer similar benefits, but without long-term studies, their effectiveness compared to these therapies is less certain.' Patches vs pouches Shiraz Khan, Chief Operating Officer at Aster Retail GCC, explained that nicotine from pouches is absorbed through the lining of the mouth. 'In contrast, nicotine patches are transdermal products applied to the skin. They slowly release nicotine into the bloodstream over a period of time, helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings,' he said. 'The key difference lies in the method of delivery. Pouches work via oral mucosal absorption, while patches deliver nicotine through the skin.' NRTs such as patches, gum, and lozenges are already available in UAE pharmacies. 'These products are typically available over the counter (OTC) and do not require a prescription. However, some higher-dose patches or combination therapies might be recommended under a healthcare provider's supervision,' Khan said. He added that NRTs are a popular choice among smokers looking to quit. 'Products like nicotine gums and lozenges have seen rapid growth due to their discreet use, lack of smoke, and perceived lower harm compared to traditional tobacco products.' All nicotine products in the UAE must carry health warnings and age restriction labels, with sales prohibited to those under 18. 'Packaging and labelling must comply with UAE-specific guidelines, including Arabic labelling. Only licensed retailers or pharmacies may sell these products,' Khan added. Tobacco's toll Globally, tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of disease and premature death, according to a guide released last year by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap). The global tobacco epidemic claims nearly eight million lives annually, making it one of the most serious public health threats. The National Health Survey of 2018 found that nearly 16 per cent of men and 2.5 per cent of women in the UAE are smokers, the guide said. To support tobacco cessation efforts, authorities said that counselling and psychological support will be offered to individuals attempting to quit all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes.
