Australian Parents Warned of Rising Popularity of Nicotine Gum

Parents in Australia have been warned that nicotine-infused gummy candies are becoming increasingly popular, while the United States is cracking down on addictive lollipops.

According to a report from the Associated Press, last week the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to the VPR brand for their unapproved nicotine-flavored chewing gum. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf stated that these gums – containing 1 milligram of nicotine each and available in flavors such as B Cherry Bomb and Pineapple – pose a public health crisis for young people in our country.

A recent study funded by the US Food and Drug Administration found that nicotine candies are the second most popular tobacco product among high school students in Southern California, only behind e-cigarettes. Although these candies are not available locally, they can easily be purchased on American websites, raising concerns that they may be exported to Australia.

Dr. Ginni Mansberg expressed concern saying, "This is worrisome because people think it's no big deal, like candy. Nowadays, some chewing gums are marketed as part of the healthy foods aisle, containing vitamins, and people may not be aware of the risks.

The Medical Products Administration stated that they have not yet approved any nicotine gums for treatment purposes.

A report suggests that the TGA advises consumers to exercise caution when considering purchasing drugs, including dietary supplements and herbal remedies, over the internet. Products not regulated by the TGA may not meet Australian manufacturing quality standards and may contain undisclosed harmful ingredients.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is concerned that these products may also contain unknown levels of nicotine, which could pose a risk of nicotine addiction if used by people.

Alongside concerns over nicotine products, the American Medical Association has raised alarm over the growing number of young Australians using e-cigarettes. According to the association, over 20 percent of 18 to 24 year olds have used e-cigarettes during the 2020-2021 period, despite nearly 84 percent of them never having smoked before.

Maria Bolton, the President of the Queensland branch of the Australian Medical Association, has stated that Australian schools are implementing measures to protect students against e-cigarettes. Earlier this year, several schools in Victoria installed e-cigarette detectors in bathrooms, including an email alert system to notify teachers if someone is using an e-cigarette. In Queensland, the teacher's professional association has suggested mandatory bag and pocket searches to prevent children from using e-cigarettes.

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