A recent study found Active-Duty Army soldiers are almost 10 times more likely to have used nicotine pouches in the last month than civilians. Nicotine pouches may be “tobacco-free,” but they contain nicotine, the chemical which makes cigarettes addictive.

What are Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches are packets about the size of piece of gum filled with a powder containing nicotine, flavorings and other ingredients. People use these packets by putting them between the cheek and gum. As the powder dissolves, nicotine enters their bloodstream. Popular brands include Zyn, On!, Velo and Rogue. These products are made with nicotine developed in a laboratory rather than tobacco. You can learn more about nicotine pouches and other “tobacco free” nicotine products here.

Who Is Using Nicotine Pouches?

Service members have historically been more likely to use tobacco products than civilians, so higher rates of using nicotine pouches continues this trend. Service members sometimes rely on tobacco products or nicotine pouches to stay focused and control their hunger during long shifts or exercises where there is not enough time to sleep or eat. Army soldiers who used nicotine pouches tend to be younger, white, unmarried, less educated and male.

Some Service members say they started using nicotine pouches to quit smoking cigarettes. However, nicotine pouches have not been approved as a smoking cessation aid by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They contain as much nicotine as cigarettes, making them hard to quit.

Can Nicotine Pouches Affect My Health?

The nicotine in nicotine pouches is addictive. It can negatively affect your heart health, disrupt brain development in people under 25 and can harm developing fetuses. Nicotine pouches also contain chemicals the FDA has identified as harmful or potentially harmful for human health. Because nicotine pouches are a relatively new product, the cancer risk of using them is still being investigated.

Many people think nicotine pouches can be used in tobacco-free areas because they do not contain tobacco. However, the FDA considers “tobacco free” products like nicotine pouches to be tobacco products because their nicotine is made from tobacco leaves. Government and private organizations are working to ensure these products are covered under existing laws and rules to control tobacco use in public places.

How Can I Quit Using Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches have not been shown to help people quit using tobacco products such as cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. If you are ready to start living tobacco free and want some support to do it, nicotine replacement therapies like patches or gum might be a good strategy to help make the next time you quit the last time. Speak with your health care provider first and check out some resources here.