What are Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine Pouches are sachets containing nicotine, flavorings and other ingredients. About the size of a piece of gum, they are placed in the mouth between the lips and gums, allowing nicotine and sweeteners or flavors to be absorbed into the bloodstream and used as an alternative to smoking or vaping.

As for safety, while Nicotine Pouches may pose less of a health risk than smoking cigarettes, they still contain nicotine, which can be addictive. It is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with nicotine use, including addiction and adverse health effects.

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Maria Boulton said the Australian Medical Association was concerned about the impact the product could have on the community, particularly young people.

Dr Bolton said: “We know that the bright packaging and attractive flavors of vapes are the main attractions for young people.”

“We’ve seen the impact vape has had on communities, particularly young people, so we have to address the issue that other products coming to market could have the same effect.”

In mid-February, NSW Health and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) jointly conducted 60 raids in Sydney and seized $1.1 million worth of vape and tobacco products from retailers, including 284 Nicotine Pouches.

Is it Safe to Use Nicotine Pouches?

Health experts say there isn’t enough research to understand the side effects of Nicotine Pouches. However, their main concern is that the nicotine in the bags could be “harmful” and “addictive”.

Australia’s Dr Bolton said: “We do know that nicotine is highly addictive, but not enough research has been done on the other chemicals in these bags to understand what damage they can cause.”

A TGA spokesman said there was “no strong evidence” that Nicotine Pouches was effective in helping people quit smoking or vape. However, the Australian Association for Tobacco Harm Reduction (ATHRA) says Nicotine Pouches is a safer option for those who have already started smoking .

“Why on earth is it that the deadliest option – cigarettes – is available at 40,000 points of sale, while smokers have to go to great lengths to get a safer option? It should be the other way around,” director Alex Alex Wodak said.

“We should be pushing smokers from high to low risk, and we should be pushing manufacturers and suppliers from high to low risk – it would be absolutely crazy for us to go in the opposite direction,” says Alex Wodak.

Cancer Council Queensland senior manager of prevention and early detection Sharyn Chin Fat said Nicotine Pouches did not inhale smoke into the lungs but that did not make it “a safer or healthier alternative to smoking or vaping”.

“Tobacco is a known carcinogen and causes cancer in humans,” she said.

“Nicotine itself, while not a carcinogen, is highly addictive and can enhance the appeal of tobacco products.”