Rising Popularity of Nicotine Pouches in the UK

Jan.14.2025

A new study from King's College London reveals a doubling in nicotine pouch usage over four years, reaching 5.4%.

On January 10th, King's College London announced on its official website that a new study found that the use of nicotine pouches has doubled in the past four years, reaching 5.4%.

A new study conducted by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London in collaboration with the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) organization has found that approximately 1% of UK adults (18 and over) and teenagers (11-18 years old) are currently using nicotine pouches. The study was published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.

Researchers analyzed data from the UK Adult Smokeless Survey from 2020 to 2024 and the UK Youth Smokeless Survey from 2024 to evaluate whether respondents have ever used or are currently using nicotine pouches, as well as other sociodemographic information. The data showed that the proportion of UK adults who had ever used nicotine pouches doubled to 5.4% between 2020 and 2024, but only 1% of respondents said they were currently using them. Among adolescents, 1.2% of respondents reported currently using them.

This research was published in the "Tobacco and E-Cigarette Act" as it entered the committee review stage in the Lower House. The bill specifies the legal age for the sale of nicotine pouches as 18 years old, prohibits related advertising, and allows for government regulation of the ingredients, brands, and displays of the products.

References:

[1] Nicotine Pouch Use in Great Britain at 1% in Youths and Adults as government plans to regulate

Also Read:

[1] Study Shows E-Cigarette Sales in UK Increased Ninefold in Three Years, Bringing Four Times the Profit to Convenience Stores

[2] 2024 E-Cigarette Flavor Trends and Consumer Behavior Impact

[3] The Times: UK Faces E-Cigarette Recycling Crisis

[4] UCL Study: 2.2 Million Former Smokers in UK Use Vapes, Young Adults Lead the Trend

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