Nicotine pouches risk: Pulmonologists call for them to be removed from the market

Known as “snuff‘ oh ‘Nicotine Bags“, nicotine pouches are becoming popular, in many cases promoted by influencers on social networks. These pouches are made of a nicotine mixture and are placed between the upper lip and gums for 30 minutes before consumption.

This product is mainly Oral mucosa Although it is often promoted as harmless because it contains no tobacco, the reality is that it poses health risks and is a new gateway to tobacco addiction.

“Nicotine is classified as an acutely toxic substance in chemical legislation, although this classification is based solely on toxicity following oral ingestion.” Francisco Pascual,President National Tobacco Prevention Council (CNPT) explained to this newspaper that “another new trend” has been introduced to sell a product that was already known many years ago. However, he warned that “even if the monkey is dressed in silk, she is still cute.”

he Traditional snus does contain tobacco and is popular in countries such as Sweden, but is banned in Spain. However, there is a legal loophole for nicotine pouches. “They can be sold and that’s why the quantity is not controlled because No legislation Let me tell you: this product is suitable for human consumption, but the nicotine content should not exceed a certain dose,” Pascual said.

Nicotine has been described as “an extremely powerful stimulant that Poison that harms your health Really. All accelerated Metabolic functionwhich speeds up peristalsis, the movement of gastric juice in the stomach,” said the CNPT president. “When a person who has never smoked before smokes their first cigarette, they experience cramps, which is an effect of nicotine. Also, since it is a stimulant, it can cause tachycardia, a faster heartbeat, dilated pupils, which puts you in a situation of logical health risk.”

“when Comprehensive Tobacco ProgramOne of the amendments that we proposed, and we hope that we will eventually achieve, is to have the same fiscal standards on the one hand and controls on all tobacco-related products, such as nicotine pouches or tobacco pouches, on the other hand. E-cigarettes because ultimately we are talking about Same substance but different manifestations”, Pascual said.

According to the report Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Germany (BfR), the health effects of this product define Children, adolescents, nonsmokers, and people with cardiovascular disease As a risk group, nicotine is an addictive substance and has a strong effect on the cardiovascular system.

Nicotine is classified as an acutely toxic substance in chemical legislation.

Ministry of Health

These products are Significantly addictive Due to its nicotine content. In addition, both products contain a variety of Oncogenes This increases the risk of cancers such as pancreatic and oral cancers. These risks are supported by studies published in leading journals such as International Journal of Cancer.

Both of them were present Health risksalthough these risks vary. It is important that people consider these risks and consult a health professional to make an informed decision about using these products.

Each of these nicotine pouches can Equivalent to smoking 5 or 7 cigarettesdepending on the brand. Some have higher nicotine concentrations than others. The tobacco industry has just introduced a new trend to consume products that they think they will soon no longer use, such as traditional cigarettes,” Pascual said. “I am a doctor of addictive behavior and my purpose is to eliminate addiction. In this way you not only incite it, but encourage it“.

this Spanish Society of Respiratory and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) expressed concern about the growing popularity of these bags, which they believe are A significant risk to public healthespecially for young people. Although these products are promoted as part of a strategy to “reduce harm” in tobacco consumption, SEPAR warns that so-called “harm reduction” is actually “a deceptive solution promoted by the tobacco industry. This strategy is advertised to increase sales and make tobacco control more difficult, keeping smokers consuming tobacco and discouraging their attempts to quit.”

“We ask SEPAR to take urgent measures to remove these nicotine pouches from the market and to prohibit their sale in any premises other than tobacco shops. In addition, we urge the Ministry of Health to alert the Spanish population to the fact that SEPAR can work with the Ministry to take all necessary actions to protect public health,” the scientific association said in a statement.

“TEverything harmful must be controlledat least one piece of information and at least one record. Also, are these sold in tobacco shops, or have we made them like e-cigarettes? They are sold everywhere. What about online? I’m not telling you that one day some sensible person will come along and regulate internet sales. At the moment, I think we have lost common sense,” Pascual also said.

“Nicotine doesn’t cause respiratory problems in principle, but it does cause heart disease. Different risks Because it does not work exactly the same way in the same organ of a person. Just like roulette, Which do you prefer, cancer or heart disease?? It depends on what you take, there are risks, ”the doctor stressed.

In the United States, smoke-free nicotine pouches, introduced in 2016, accounted for 4% of the smokeless tobacco market in 2019. They appeal to 11-12% of non-users and 36% of active smokers, with acceptance at 75% among those who use both cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.