Been tempted to try a nicotine pouch during a work break?
Otherwise referred to as “lip pillows” or “popping an upper
decker”, nicotine pouches are a relatively newer way to consume nicotine. They
are illegal in some countries without a prescription. These flavoured pouches
are placed in between your gum and your lip. From there the nicotine is
absorbed into your bloodstream through your mouth where some report the same
rush of dopamine that cigarettes and vapes provide.
Some companies market them as the safer alternative to
smoking, but how safe are nicotine pouches?
Because they are still a newer product, research is still
ongoing into their long-term effects on the body. However, we do know the
short-term effects.
Concerningly, a 2024 study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg
School of Public Health has revealed that when using nicotine pouches, 97% of
participants reported one or more side effects. This included 48% reporting
mouth lesions, 39% reporting upset stomachs and 9% reporting nausea.
And because the pouches are placed on the gum, it can cause
significant gum recession. This is when the gum tissue pulls away from your
teeth, revealing roots and raising the chances of cavities.
Although the nicotine in these pouches do not directly cause
cancer, research shows that nicotine is a tumour promoter which can make the
cancer more aggressive. On top of that, nicotine can also cause heart, lung and
stomach problems, create issues relating to fertility, raise your blood
pressure and weaken your immune system.
So if you are thinking of making the switch to nicotine
pouches, make sure you consider all the health risks and remember that it is
better to quit nicotine altogether.
31May is World No Tobacco Day