Hospitalizations due to vaping-related disorders have skyrocketed by 733% among children under 20 over the past four years, a concerning trend that now includes children as young as preschoolers.
Last year alone, there were 50 admissions for vaping disorders in children, including 11 aged four or under, highlighting a drastic escalation from previous years.
This surge is attributed to a range of factors, including the availability of child-friendly flavored e-cigarettes.
Professor Jonathan Grigg from Queen Mary University of London warns, “This increase in hospitalisations is a totally predictable consequence of the government’s decision to allow a vaping free for all—with flavors designed to be attractive to children and young people and the disastrous assumption that vaping has little or no adverse health effects.”
The health risks associated with vaping are increasingly evident, prompting organizations like Asthma + Lung UK to call for stringent measures to protect children.
Sarah MacFadyen, head of policy and public affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, emphasizes, “It is crucial the government takes action to prevent the vaping industry from marketing their products towards children.”
However, as the fight against vaping gains momentum, a new, discreet form of nicotine consumption is taking hold among young people: nicotine pouches.
These products, often referred to as Zyns, snus, or “little lip pillows,” have become fashionable through social media endorsements and are particularly concerning because they are virtually undetectable when used.
They come in appealing flavors like mint, bubblegum, and mango, making them especially attractive to minors.
Associate Professor Becky Freeman from the University of Sydney highlights the discreet nature of these products, noting, “The whole goal is that it’s discreet, smells good, and gets you addicted to nicotine.”
The rising popularity of these pouches is supported by troubling figures from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which reported a seizure of almost 3.5 million units of nicotine pouches last year, a stark increase from less than 110,000 units in 2022.
The market for these products is largely unregulated, leading to potential health risks such as gum problems and ulcerations, as noted by Dr. Jody Morgan from the University of Wollongong.
Furthermore, the involvement of major tobacco companies in this market underscores the urgency of addressing this issue.
The emerging trend of nicotine pouches reflects a broader challenge in preventing nicotine addiction among youth, an issue that requires immediate attention.