Surveys show that a quarter of young Australians use nicotine packs. While it is illegal to buy or sell nicotine packs without a prescription, researchers found that a third of respondents still bought them illegally from tobacconists. The researchers called on the government to step up monitoring and record the use of nicotine bags.
Nicotine pouches new favorite among young people
A quarter of young Australians use nicotine packs, according to a new survey by Mirage News on Sep 26.
25% of respondents said they had used it
Michelle Jongenelis. Associate professor at the University of Melbourne, based on a survey of nearly 1,600 adolescents and adults aged 16 to 39, a survey published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence showed that one in five respondents had used a nicotine bag in the past 30 days. Although it is illegal in Australia to buy or sell nicotine packs without a prescription, a third of those surveyed said they had bought them from tobacco shops.
- “Our findings suggest that we should start monitoring this new product to understand how it is being used and how young people are buying it.”
- “Sure enough, with the widespread attention paid to e-cigarettes, the industry and its retail coalition have quietly promoted and sold a new addictive commodity to young Australians.” The hidden nature of nicotine packs and the variety of flavors make them attractive to young people. They are sold illegally by cigarette manufacturers just like vapes.”
Jongenlis said there was currently limited research on nicotine bags and their application in Australia.
- “It is worrying that these addictive commodities are in the hands of teenagers. The government should be wary of attempts by the industry and its retail unions to attract the next generation. The implementation of new vape laws and regulations should also include other illicit tobacco and tar commodities. China’s monitoring and investigation should include documentation of the application of new tobacco and tar commodities.”
