ZYN, On!, ROGUE, VELO, ZONE – what do these names all have in common? They are all names of Nicotine pouches and the latest – but not the greatest – line of nicotine products. They are designed and marketed for existing adult smokers and nicotine users aged 21 and older as a “better alternative to smoking” because they do not contain tobacco and are smokeless.
SO…WHAT ARE THEY?
Good question! Nicotine pouches are small pouches about the size of a piece of Chiclet ® gum. They are available in many different flavors and are tucked in between a person’s lip or cheek and gums. Since this a highly vascularized area, as the pouch dissolves, the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream through mucous membranes. Since these products are smokeless and do not contain tobacco, the manufacturers of these products claim they are a better choice than cigarettes and vaping. So, is that a true statement? Read on for more insight on that…
ORAL HEALTH CONCERNS
Most nicotine pouch brands suggest keeping the pouch in your mouth for up to an hour, which is a long time! This opens the door for all sorts of oral health issues, such as gingivitis, receding gums, mouth sores, and more. Since these products are so new, so are the associated oral health issues that may accompany them, which makes it more difficult for dentists to diagnose issues that arise from the use of these products.
USE BY MINORS
With the different flavors these pouches come in, it is no surprise that kids will be attracted to these products, just as they were to the flavored vape products. Even though one must be over 21 to purchase them, kids will find a way to obtain them. And consider this - nicotine pouches are more discreet and therefore harder for parents to notice, unlike cigarettes and vape, which produces smoke and vapor clouds.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
Nicotine pouches are relatively new, so the short- and long-term health consequences cannot be predicted. Although the manufacturers suggest that they may not be as harmful as cigarettes and vape because they do not contain tobacco, nicotine’s effects on cardiovascular and oral health are well-known and continue to be of concern.
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