NICOTINE POUCHES…

”100% tobacco free.
No smoke, no vapour.
The new way to nicotine.”

It seems that nicotine pouches are the new thing on the block.  They are the fastest growing nicotine delivery product in the US and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. Advertising makes them appealing and convenient. Currently they can be purchased in up to forty five outlets including newsagents and supermarket chains across Dublin. They can also be purchased online.

Derived from traditional Swedish Snus (pronounced snoos), nicotine pouches provide a tobacco-free, smoking experience.  They are manufactured using a form of dehydrated nicotine with added flavours (think cherry, strawberry, mint), and they usually contain plant fibres and sweeteners.  They generally contain 8mg of nicotine per pouch but nicotine levels maybe higher or lower. Unlike smoking or vaping they can be used anywhere, at any time, because they are tucked neatly between the lip and gum, and produce no vapour, smoke, or smell.

Nicotine pouches are not considered to be medicinal products.  They cannot be sold to minors, but that is not stopping young people getting hold of them, and whilst they are undoubtedly less harmful than both smoking and vaping, they are not harm free. For all of us, nicotine increases our heart rate and causes a surge of endorphins which can relieve stress and pain.  It also stimulates the release of dopamine which creates feelings of pleasure and reward, but the feeling of reward is short lived, so people do more to get more, and so the cycle of use/addiction is established.

Nicotine is particularly harmful during adolescence when the brain is still developing.  It can negatively impact the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control, but there are many other side effects associated with nicotine use, including:

• Dizziness
• Disturbed sleep
• Changes in blood flow
• Headaches
• Increased risk of blood clotting
• Increased blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhoea
• Joint pain
• Nicotine pouches can have additional side effects, including:
• Discolouration of the teeth
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer

It is important that we talk to young people about the risks associated with nicotine pouches so that they can make informed choices.

Their website boasts that they will give you a sample of Nordic Spirit free of charge…see below!

”Try Nordic
Spirit for free”’

”Simply complete your details below and we’ll send you a can of Nordic Spirit for free, in a strength/flavour of your choice. Please note samples are intended for existing adult nicotine consumers, and you will need to confirm you are aged 18+ by uploading a copy of your photo ID. 1 free sample per customer. By placing a request you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.”

The Effects of Nicotine on Youth…
Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that raises blood pressure, causes adrenaline to spike, increases heart rate, and elevates one’s likelihood for a heart attack. Youth are even more susceptible to nicotine’s negative effects and become dependent on this drug more rapidly than adults. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Nicotine can harm the developing adolescent brain. The brain keeps developing until about age 25.
• Using nicotine in adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.
• Each time our brain creates a new memory or learns a new skill, stronger connections—or synapses—are built between brain cells. Young people’s brains build synapses faster than adult brains. Nicotine changes the way these synapses are formed.
• Using nicotine in adolescence may also increase risk for future addiction to other drugs.
  Just as one harmful product is brought to light, another harmful product seems to emerge from the darkness to take its place. While we may not be aware of every single nicotine product out there to specifically warn our children about, what we can do is to talk with them about the dangers of this substance in any form, tell them to steer clear of it, and of course step in and seek help if we suspect or know our child is using nicotine products.