There’s a new trend with teens, especially among those who have tried smoking or vaping: New fruity nicotine gums, tablets, pouches, and lozenges. Popular brands among teens include products from Zyn, Lucy, Rogue, Velo, Solace, On!, and Juice Head. These products may be small, but they pack an addictive nicotine punch. When powerful nicotine is mixed with fruity flavors, flashy marketing, and bright packaging, it’s no wonder kids fall prey.
Doesn’t this all sound familiar? Youth-friendly marketing and discreet delivery of highly concentrated nicotine is what landed the tobacco and vaping industry in hot water in the first place.
These fruity nicotine products are also very inexpensive compared to vaping products – generally under $6.00 – and teens see them as “less harmful” because they’re “tobacco-free.” These claims falsely imply these products are healthier and safer than vaping or smoking, when in reality the real threat to our youth is in the highly concentrated nicotine contained in these products.
When it comes to teens, addiction experts and prevention researchers agree:
“Exposure to nicotine can interfere with healthy brain development among teens, worsen mood disorders and mental health problems, and affect their ability to learn and pay attention…It also puts them at increased risk of addiction to other substances, as well as other products containing nicotine.”
Even though traditional gums and lozenges already exist to help adults quit smoking, these nicotine products seem to be targeting youth to get them hooked early.
Recent national surveys show that nicotine pouch use among high schoolers has nearly doubled in the last year, even as vaping has started to decline.
Many young pouch users are also vaping or smoking cigarettes at the same time, compounding their risks. Most report using flavored varieties like fruit, mint, or menthol — the same kinds of flavors that have long appealed to kids.
We know that most kids choose not to vape or smoke, and most will refuse products like these if they’re offered. We also know that adult support and conversations really help when the pressure mounts and the offer or curiousity for teens to “try it” is there.
As adults, we can help youth by:
- Having conversations about our nicotine-free expectations early and often, including cigarettes, vaping, and these nicotine products.
- Warning kids and teens of the risks of using nicotine while their brains are still developing, including harm to learning, memory, mood, and lifelong addiction (learn more on our Nicotine & Vaping page).
- Helping them gain confidence by practicing saying “no” to their peers when offered a nicotine product.
- Reminding our kids they can come to us for help with peer pressure, stress, or anxiety.
- Supporting teens who want to quit vaping. If you know a teen who’s trying to quit, tell them they can connect to a My Life My Quit coach at MO.MyLifeMyQuit.org or text ‘Start My Quit’ to 36072. This local cessation resource sends them free, confidential support and tips to help them quit vaping for good.
By Parent Up KC Staff
