Nicotine Pouches: The New Gateway for Teen Addiction
Summary: With concerns about new vaping products aimed at growing kids, Mothers Against Vaping has stepped in, asking the Health Ministry to ban nicotine pouches and gums. They point out how these products are marketed in sneaky ways, are super easy for kids to access, and pose serious health risks. The group is calling for quick action to keep India’s young people safe from falling into nicotine addiction.
The Rise of Nicotine Pouches: A New Threat to Teens
There is a rise of “new age tobacco devices” in recent times. A group of women, “Mothers against vaping” has expressed its concerns about these devices and sought an immediate ban on nicotine pouches and gums, in their appeal to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The group has stated that nicotine pouches are the new “next gateway” aimed towards the youth of the country, similar to vapes and e-cigarette which have made their presence felt in the lives of the youth. The group have issued formal representations to Union Health Minister J P Nadda and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
How Brands Are Hooking Teens - Packaging, Flavors, and Myths
It is to be noted that manufacturers of nicotine pouches are using deliberate marketing tactics to influence innocent teenagers to use these pouches, said Dr. Bhavna Barmi, a clinical psychologist and member of the advisory board of Mothers Against Vaping, in conversation with the Indian Express.
Dr. Barmi spoke about how the companies were using “sleek, modern packaging, colourful branding, and flavours like mint, fruit and bubble-gum to make nicotine seem fun and harmless”.
A Psychologist’s Warning: Subtle Traps Leading to Lifelong Addiction
She also said that these are powerful, yet subtle, psychological cues that influence the teenagers, making them contemplate that nicotine pouches are
“a trendy lifestyle accessory and therefore influencing them to try these out, which leads to addiction. Teenagers are drawn to using them without understanding the risk, and once hooked, many may experience long-term impacts on mood regulation, impulse control, and cognitive function”.
Voices of Concern: Warrior Moms Join the Fight
Mothers Against Vaping also states that the youth today are under the notion that these nicotine pouches are an alternative to smoking, which is further amplified by the misleading information and marketing gimmicks by the global tobacco interests.
The group Mothers Against Vaping had released a white paper titled ‘Please Stop This’, in an attempt to challenge the manufacturers for creating a market for these pouches among children and teenagers.
Another group of mothers across India, i.e. Warrior Moms, who are working on clean air projects, have come out in support of the appeal filed by Mothers Against Vaping, citing “stricter enforcement, education, and parental responsibility.”
Vapes hidden in school bag – a cause for alarm to mothers
Finding vapes hidden in a child’s school bag is very alarming and a cause of great concern, said Sangeeta Chauhan, a member of the Warrior Mom group from Delhi.
She said that schools are carrying out random bag checks and increasing awareness sessions about these harmful devices. Despite a national ban, these devices are easily available through online channels, or sourced through peers, making it a daunting task. She feels that “stricter enforcement and open conversations” are required at this stage. Increasing awareness and educating the children about the risks of such devices and supporting them in making healthier choices is required. She also said parents should refrain use of these devices in the presence of their children and should not encouraging them to use it.
From Curiosity to Addiction: A Teen’s Journey
In another incident, a mother was found complaining to her friend, Dr. Lakshmi Nilakantan, mother of two children, based in Pune (a member of Warrior Moms), that her 15-year-old son was addicted to vaping.
Dr. Nilkantan said, it all began as curiosity. The teenagers, who all resided nearby, were playing box cricket in the society premises.
During a break, “someone pulled out a sleek, bright-coloured vape. No harm in a few puffs, they mentioned, while passing it around, and initially it felt harmless with fruity smells of mango, strawberry and raspberry. It did not smell like cigarettes at all.”
Dr Nilkantan said her friend began worrying more when her son “sneaked hits in-between classes, during lunch time, before dinner and before going to bed”.
He was unknowingly, becoming addicted to vaping, which badly affected his academic performance at school and led to falling exam grades. He began showing asthmatic symptoms, became irregular at school, and felt tired and unhealthy
Dr Nilakantan said that when he was taken for a health checkup, the doctor asked him whether he was smoking. The doctor then explained to her friend and her son, that vape contains nicotine, that is an addictive substance and harmful for health. This occurrence took place six months ago. Now her friend’s son, is an active volunteer at the Rotary Club, where he educates the younger generation about the presence of nicotine in vapes and cigarettes and its detrimental effects.
Ban Nicotine patches, Recommends WHO
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products are medically regulated and permitted for sale by the Government of India, like
- Nicotine gums
- Lozenges
- Strips
- Patches
Nicotine gums, containing up to 2 mg of nicotine, do not require a sales licence or a prescription from a registered medical practitioner, in accordance to the current provisions of Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945.
The group Mothers Against Vaping, states that this stipulation is a loophole, which permits the over-the-counter sale of such products without any supervision or limitation whatsoever, and creates a
“pathway for potentially harmful nicotine products to enter the market unchecked”.
What Makes Nicotine Pouches So Dangerous?
They added that nicotine pouches are an innovative way to market the toxic and addictive substance. Available in small packets, which contain 1.5 to 8 milligrams of nicotine in the form of powder or salts. In some packets, the nicotine content is as much as 50 milligrams per pouch, equivalent to smoking eight cigarettes.
Being colourless and odourless, these powders do not require spitting, like “traditional smokeless tobacco”. The users can easily hide them between their lips and gums, making them undetectable for teachers and parents alike, read an official statement issued in Pune, by Mothers Against Vaping.
The Call to Action: A Nationwide Ban and Awareness Drive
The group has appealed to the Government to initiate “ a nationwide awareness programme about the health risks and addictive potential of these products” and enforce a ban on nicotine pouches and gum products at the earliest.
In response to a recommendation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ban nicotine pouches, 26 countries have taken the initiative and already banned them.
Let there be more awareness about the harm caused by nicotine and tobacco products, to curb addiction and save innocent lives.
Inputs from various media sources.
