Important Disclaimer Below — Please Read Carefully.
2Firsts, September 2, 2025 — In August 2025, the Canadian Journal of Public Health published a paper titled “Emerging use of oral nicotine pouches among Canadian adolescents: Findings from the COMPASS-Quebec study.” Conducted by researchers from the University of Waterloo, Université Laval, and Quebec public-health agencies, the study draws on the 2024 COMPASS-Quebec student survey to examine adolescent use of oral nicotine pouches, risk perceptions, and co-use with other nicotine products.
The study notes that oral nicotine pouches (e.g., ZYN, ZONNIC) have expanded rapidly in global markets in recent years and have attracted attention from younger populations. Unlike cigarettes or e-cigarettes, pouches contain no tobacco and produce no smoke, and can be used discreetly in almost any setting. Although Health Canada issued regulations in 2024 limiting sales to pharmacies and prohibiting certain flavors, these products may still be obtained illegally via convenience stores, tobacco shops, and online channels; some products reportedly contain nicotine concentrations far above the legal ceiling (up to 50 mg per pouch, roughly equivalent to about 50 cigarettes). Their discreet nature and potentially higher nicotine content have raised concern among public-health experts about faster addiction among youth.
Prior studies offered limited data on nicotine-pouch use among Canadian adolescents. In 2019, prevalence among those aged 16–19 was just 1%. Given international trends pointing to rapid uptake and trajectories resembling those of e-cigarettes, this study helps fill Canada’s data gap on adolescent use of nicotine pouches.
Main findings and conclusions
Methods
Based on the COMPASS platform, the team surveyed 13,914 students at 33 secondary schools across Quebec, yielding an analytic sample of 11,017. The questionnaire covered past-30-day use, perceptions of health and addiction risks, and associations with factors such as sex/gender, grade level, academic performance, and part-time work.
Key findings
Rising prevalence, nearly on par with cigarettes: Nicotine pouches are now the third most commonly used nicotine product after e-cigarettes (13.0%) and cigarettes (3.0%), with a current-use rate of 2.6%, nearly equal to cigarettes.
Higher-risk groups:
• Cisgender boys have a 74% higher likelihood of use than girls.
• Older students, male students, and gender-diverse youth show higher risk.
• Students with poor academic performance (any core subject below 55%) have nearly triple the risk.
• Students with part-time jobs face significantly elevated risk, and the risk increases with weekly hours worked.
• Youth who self-report poor physical or mental health are more likely to use.
Co-use of nicotine:
• 71.7% of nicotine-pouch users also vape.
• 27.9% also smoke cigarettes.
• Compared with non-users, current vapers are roughly 14 times more likely to use nicotine pouches, and current smokers about 5 times more likely.
Risk-perception differences:
• 81% of students believe nicotine pouches are addictive, while 16% are unsure.
• Only 41% believe nicotine pouches pose high health risks, and 23.5% say “not sure.”
• Compared with peers who view the products as high-risk, those who perceive them as low- or no-risk have 8–10 times higher odds of use.
Conclusion
The authors conclude that nicotine-pouch use among Canadian adolescents has risen rapidly and is concentrated in certain groups (e.g., boys, gender-diverse youth, students with poor grades, and those with part-time jobs). Given the discreet form factor and potentially higher nicotine content, and in the absence of effective controls, nicotine pouches could follow a trajectory of rapid uptake among youth similar to that of e-cigarettes. High-risk groups include boys, gender-diverse youth, students with part-time jobs, students with poor academic performance, and current users of e-cigarettes/cigarettes.
Article information
Title: Emerging use of oral nicotine pouches among Canadian adolescents: Findings from the COMPASS-Quebec study
Authors: Katelyn Battista; Mikael Piché-Ayotte; Slim Haddad; Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay; Scott T. Leatherdale; Richard E. Bélanger
Publication date: August 2025
Journal: Canadian Journal of Public Health
DOI: 10.17269/s41997-025-01100-x
Images in this article are drawn from the paper.
Cover image generated by ChatGPT.
Disclaimer
This article is a summary created by 2Firsts based on a published academic paper. Its purpose is to help non-specialist audiences—particularly industry professionals, policymakers, and the media—better understand research findings and foster deeper communication between science, policy, and industry.
Unless otherwise indicated, the methods, data, and conclusions presented here reflect the views of the paper’s authors. 2Firsts does not endorse those positions and provides this content solely for information dissemination.
Due to the limitations of our editorial and scientific capacity, inaccuracies or misinterpretations may exist. We welcome feedback and encourage readers to consult the original paper for a more complete and accurate understanding.
2Firsts encourages constructive discussion and critical thinking about research. No single study can answer every question, but open, rational dialogue can deepen our understanding of the world and advance tobacco harm-reduction science, ultimately helping consumers make healthier choices.
For feedback or collaboration, please contact: info@2firsts.com
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
