According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), despite a staggering 641% increase in product sales from 2019 to 2022, nicotine pouch usage among U.S. adults is not as widespread as one might assume. This research was conducted by the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, utilizing the Current Population Survey (CPS) Tobacco Use Supplement. The survey, recognized for its rigor, offers insights that are pivotal for policy-making.
Researchers found that only 2.9% of adults reported ever using nicotine pouches, with a mere 0.4% currently using them. Surprisingly, the majority of current users are also cigarette smokers. Among those who relapsed from an attempt to quit smoking in the last year, 5.2% turned to nicotine pouches for cessation support. Notably, usage was more common among current (1%) and former smokers (0.7%) than among those who never smoked (0.2%).
The demographic trends show a higher prevalence of pouch usage among adults under 65, predominantly males and non-Hispanic whites. Moreover, 21.6% of smokers who tried to quit last year attempted to switch to e-cigarettes, compared to just 5.2% who tried nicotine pouches.
Adam Matthew Leventhal, Ph.D., a professor at the Keck School of Medicine and a study co-author, expressed surprise at the low prevalence of nicotine pouch use among adults, suggesting a potential diversion of sales to adolescents, who were not included in the survey. He also raised concerns that some adults might use nicotine pouches to supplement their nicotine intake in non-smoking environments, potentially exacerbating nicotine dependence rather than aiding in cessation.
Leventhal estimates that among all U.S. adults who used nicotine pouches in 2022, approximately 35% were former cigarette smokers, 25% were current smokers, and 40% had never smoked cigarettes regularly.
Final Thoughts
It seems nicotine pouches are like the decaf coffee of the tobacco world—there, but not particularly beloved! What do you think? Are nicotine pouches just a fad or a serious tool for quitting smoking? Drop your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to follow us on vapeast.com for more updates and discussions!
