Nicotine pouches and e‑cigarettes have become a worrying trend among younger generations, one that medical professionals say poses real health risks rather than being a harmless alternative to smoking. According to dentist and specialist Ana Glavina from the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at KBC Split, these products are aggressively marketed and highly popular among adolescents, yet the idea that they are “less harmful” than traditional cigarettes is not backed by strong scientific evidence.
Unlike cigarettes, nicotine pouches contain no tobacco but deliver nicotine directly through the mouth lining when placed between the gum and lip. Each pouch can contain about 20 milligrams of nicotine — roughly the same amount found in an entire pack of cigarettes — which then enters the bloodstream as it dissolves in saliva. Doctors warn this direct exposure can lead to powerful nicotine effects on both the oral mucosa and the entire body, particularly in young people with developing brains and bodies.
Experts note that one of the most alarming issues with nicotine pouches is their impact on oral health. Users may experience local irritation, redness, painful sores, and white lesions on the mouth’s mucous membranes that cannot be scraped off, a sign that serious tissue changes are occurring. These changes, if ignored, could potentially progress to malignant conditions over time, making early cessation and specialist monitoring critical.
Medical authorities in other countries have also raised concerns about youth exposure to these products. Surveys in the United States show that nicotine pouch use among teens has nearly doubled in recent years, and in combination with marketing exposure, this trend may increase the likelihood of nicotine dependence and subsequent use of other tobacco products.
Beyond addiction, nicotine itself is highly potent and can damage brain development in adolescents, affecting areas responsible for attention, mood, and impulse control. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that there is no safe level of nicotine use for young people and that early addiction can predispose them to future substance use disorders.
Reports have also highlighted the risk to young children who accidentally ingest nicotine pouches. In the U.S., cases of unintentional ingestion among children under six have soared in recent years, with such incidents being significantly more likely to result in serious medical outcomes compared to other nicotine products. Symptoms in these cases can range from nausea and vomiting to more severe toxicity.
The appeal of nicotine pouches to youth is in part driven by sweet flavours, colourful packaging, and discrete use, factors that mirror concerns seen with earlier generations of e‑cigarette products. Studies show that exposure to tobacco marketing is associated with increased use among teens, underscoring the need for stronger advertising regulations and youth prevention efforts.
Although some argue that nicotine pouches may help adult smokers transition away from cigarettes, this benefit does not extend to adolescents or non‑smokers who may unknowingly expose themselves to nicotine’s addictive and developmental harms. Public health officials stress the importance of education, regulation, and research to fully understand and address the potential long‑term effects of these products.
Nicotine pouches are a relatively recent entry into the nicotine product market, yet their rising popularity among young people has prompted concern from healthcare professionals who warn that they are not without risk, especially for oral health and neurological development.
What do you think about the growing trend of nicotine pouch use among youth and the health warnings from doctors — share your thoughts in the comments.
