A study published in the medical journal The Lancet shows that the proportion of people aged 16 to 24 in the UK using nicotine pouches has significantly increased since the beginning of 2022. Among them, the usage rate among young men was the highest, reaching 7.5%, while the overall usage rate among adults was approximately 1%.
Key Points Summary
- A study published in The Lancet indicates that the usage rate of nicotine pouches in the UK has increased.
- The usage rate among people aged 16 to 24 rose from 0.7% at the beginning of 2022 to 4%.
- The usage rate among young men was the highest, reaching 7.5%.
- The British government plans to ban the sale of nicotine pouches to people under the age of 18.
Sharp Increase in Nicotine Pouch Use Among Young People
December 17, 2025 — According to Bloomberg, a recent study published in The Lancet shows that the usage rate of nicotine pouches among the 16–24 age group in the UK has risen from 0.7% in early 2022 to 4% in March this year. Among this group, young men recorded the highest usage rate at 7.5%, while the overall adult usage rate stands at approximately 1%.
Popular Brands and Market Expansion in Europe
Nicotine pouch products include Zyn from Philip Morris International Inc. and Velo from British American Tobacco Plc. Since around 2019, these products have gained popularity across Europe, partly due to perceptions that they are less harmful than traditional cigarettes and because they deliver nicotine quickly.
Health Concerns and Dual Use of Nicotine Products
Health experts have warned that tobacco-free nicotine pouches may pose cardiovascular risks and could act as an “entry point” for non-smokers to begin using tobacco-related products. Among surveyed nicotine pouch users, 69% reported using other nicotine products, 56% were smokers, 39% used vapes, and 16% said they had never smoked regularly.
Government Focus on Youth Protection
The British government stated that, as part of its broader campaign against nicotine-related products, it will place particular emphasis on restricting the use of these products by children.
Proposed Legislation to Restrict Sales and Packaging
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently under review in Parliament, aims to phase out cigarettes gradually. It also includes provisions to prohibit the sale of nicotine pouches to individuals under the age of 18 and to regulate product packaging to reduce its appeal to young people.
Rising Use of Nicotine Pouches in Smoking Cessation Attempts
The study also found that among individuals who attempted to quit smoking in the past year. The proportion who used nicotine pouches in their most recent quit attempt increased from 2.6% in October 2020 to 6.5% in March this year. Researchers noted that further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of nicotine pouches as smoking cessation tools.
Study Methodology and Data Source
The research is based on data from the Smoking Toolkit Study conducted by University College London (UCL). The survey included nearly 128,000 participants, with the adult sample beginning in 2020 and the inclusion of 16- to 17-year-olds starting in 2022.
