Warnings over nicotine product gaining favour with younger people

The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) 2025 captured the use of nicotine products placed between the lip and gum, for the first time.

It found more than 8% of those aged 18-24 years of age said they were using nicotine pouches and almost 4% had used snus, both are smokeless oral tobacco pouches.

Laura Hunter, chief executive of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH) said her organisation had been sounding the alarm on these items for a decade.

"We know that these products are potent, we know they contain an enormous amount of nicotine," she said.

"When we look at this survey, which has been released alongside recent ABS data that showed high levels of nicotine in wastewater, it makes sense because we're seeing people use multiple forms of nicotine and tobacco."

Ms Hunter encouraged general practitioners to look out for potential side effects of nicotine use and to provide their patients support with addiction where required.

"Nicotine is a poison, there's nothing safe about these products and there is new research that looks at nicotine and risk of cancer. We know now that nicotine - synthetic nicotine in particular - is incredibly problematic."

She said nicotine pouches were so potently in nicotine that use there would have a dramatic impact on the health and wellbeing of young people.

Ms Hunter said one indicator of use that GPs might notice may be dental and oral concerns. They might also pick up signs related specifically to stimulant use.

“I would say that might be the first sign, the fact that they have gum disease and dental issues, because we are hearing from the Australian Dental Association that that is happening,” she said.

“These products are a stimulant that gives big hits of nicotine to your system and can cause short-term cardiovascular issues, where your heart races."

Ms Hunter said first line treatment for anyone suffering with an addiction to nicotine or tobacco was with combination nicotine replacement therapy, and behavioural counselling through the Quit line.

"That behavioural counselling is offered for free through the Quit line," she said.

"Vapes are a second, third line treatment, but the pharmaceutical vaping products are not the same ones that we are seeing on the illicit market."

Language to look out for

Ms Hunter said young people may refer to nicotine pouches by their brand names such as Zyn.

She said companies such as Philip Morris were directly targeting young people with their nicotine pouches, which include a range of flavoured options.

ACOSH has heard from researchers that respondents had talked about how common the pouches had become.

“In the past where you'd have your water bottle at your university lecture theatre, those water bottles are now sitting alongside a packet of pouches," Ms Hunter said.

Australian Institute for Health and Welfare spokesperson Louise Gates said there was growing evidence people were using multiple nicotine products, with use of three or more forms increasing over time.

The national drug survey, undertaken by AIHW, found fewer people in Australia were smoking everyday and rates have steadily fallen over the past two decades.

In 2025, 5.6% of people aged 14 and over smoked daily, down from 8.3% in 2022–2023.

Daily e-cigarette use remained relatively stable at 3.6% in 2025, compared with 3.5% in 2022–2023. However, there was a slight overall decline in the proportion of people using e-cigarettes due to less people people using e-cigarettes weekly or monthly.

Medical Forum has contacted Philip Morris for comment.