Wellness - Research Finds High Doses in Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches
Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are reported to provide considerable amounts of nicotine, as found in a recent study. These are prohibited in Germany yet are commonly used by young individuals as a result of their promotion on social media, as explained by experts from the Tobacco Ambulance at the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich. In collaboration with the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), they examined how much nicotine these products release and its impact on the human body.
The Tobacco-free nicotine pouches consist of a powder comprised of nicotine salts and carriers, which is placed under the upper lip - making it inconspicuous and usable anywhere, according to researchers.
More nicotine intake from pouches than from cigarettes
The BfR reported that in a study published in "Frontiers in Pharmacology," they tested pouches from different brands, all with stated nicotine contents of 6, 20, and 30 milligrams, on fifteen individuals who regularly smoke cigarettes. The research discovered that these products can release substantial levels of nicotine, possibly more than tobacco cigarettes. Since pouches containing 20 and 30 milligrams of nicotine induced effects on the heart and circulation, including increased heartbeat, Tobias Rüther, the head of the LMU Tobacco Ambulance, noted that a high potential for addiction to these investigated pouches should be assumed. Additionally, all the tested pouches resulted in mouth irritation.
Rabenstein, a co-author, noted the potential impact of addiction could become severe. These legally available nicotine pouches have already started appearing at schools in neighboring countries such as Austria, which is a cause for concern. "Apart from developing a nicotine addiction, there is also a considerable risk of consuming other nicotine products or tobacco cigarettes," she added.
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The high nicotine content in tobacco-free nicotine pouches is a concern for health experts, as they can release more nicotine than traditional cigarettes. This was concluded in a study published by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in collaboration with the Tobacco Ambulance at Ludwig-Maximilians University (LMU) in Munich, Germany.
Despite being prohibited in Germany, these pouches are widely used by young individuals, often influenced by social media promotions. The study found that pouches containing 20 and 30 milligrams of nicotine can lead to cardiac effects and increased heartbeat, indicating a high potential for addiction.
The BfR study involved testing pouches from various brands and found that they can release substantial levels of nicotine, even higher than traditional cigarettes. This raises concerns about the potential health implications, particularly in light of the pouches' increasing popularity among young people.
The impact of addiction to these nicotine pouches can be severe, as shown by the study's findings. Co-author Rabenstein also highlighted the risk of young people in neighboring countries, such as Austria, consuming these pouches, which are legally available, and potentially progressing to other nicotine products or tobacco cigarettes.
Researchers at LMU and BfR emphasize the need for caution and education about the health risks associated with tobacco-free nicotine pouches, given their growing popularity and potential for causing addiction and health problems.
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