WHO warns nicotine pouch brands targeting youth as sales surge
9 hours ago
- #Nicotine Pouches
- #Youth Health
- #WHO
- WHO warns about rapid global expansion of nicotine pouches, especially targeting youth due to limited regulation.
- Nicotine pouches contain addictive nicotine and additives, with sales surging over 50% to 23 billion units in 2024.
- Nicotine harms brain development in youth, increasing addiction risk and cardiovascular issues, with pouches often unregulated in many countries.
- Industry uses appealing packaging, flavors like bubble gum, social media influencers, and event sponsorships to attract young users.
- WHO urges governments to implement bans on flavors and advertising, age verification, plain packaging, nicotine caps, taxation, and enforcement to protect youth.