Experts warn of the risks of nicotine pouches; these are the serious health consequences for the body.

Designed to deliver nicotine without smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco, nicotine pouches are inserted between the gum and upper lip. This allows the nicotine to be absorbed directly through the oral mucosa.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, Each of these products contains, in addition to the compound powder, flavorings and other ingredients.

People who purchase the product use it in a simple and discreet way:

Each particle dissolves in the mouth, and the nicotine is absorbed through the gums and lining of the mouth. "Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical, especially dangerous for teenagers, young adults, and pregnant women," the aforementioned website states.

Although it's often advertised as harmless because it doesn't contain tobacco, this product is primarily absorbed through the oral cavity. The truth is, it poses a health risk and acts as a new way to become addicted to tobacco.

Experts also point out that nicotine pouches are not without risks, and their nicotine content makes them addictive. The wisest decision for an adult smoker would be to completely quit tobacco and nicotine. Furthermore, these smokeless products are not designed to work as a smoking cessation aid.

According to pulmonologist July Torres González , there is currently no evidence that consuming these products causes damage to the respiratory tract.

"There is no direct damage to the lung, but there is evidence of cardiovascular damage and involvement," the professional explained.

Furthermore, nicotine is what causes addiction; however , these pouches "have shown that they are not effective in helping people quit smoking."

"The problem with these substances is that since they create addiction, the next step is to try tobacco. So there's no direct harm from using the pouch ," Torres added.

As a result, over time, people, realizing that they no longer feel the same satisfaction or sense of pleasure, begin to turn to other stimulants such as tobacco or cigarettes.

Young people today also play a significant role in this spending, as they are "more likely to consider using tobacco as their next step than those who have never used these pouches ."

Nicotine is a substance that has an inflammatory effect on some systems.

It's important to note that nicotine pouches cause inflammation, which can affect blood vessels, not just the airways. Although the inflammation isn't directly affecting the bronchi or lungs themselves, the lung vessels, which are essential for transporting oxygen, can be affected.

Furthermore, this inflammation can occur in both peripheral vessels (those that permeate the muscles) and the pulmonary vasculature (the vessels within the lungs), and the effect on the latter would not be different.

July Torres also highlighted that: " Nicotine is a substance that has an inflammatory effect on certain systems. The most important is the cardiovascular system, which is where it is directly generated."

Another reason a patient might feel short of breath, especially in the context of nicotine use, is directly related to the cardiovascular changes that lead to the feeling of shortness of breath. This means that the problem isn't necessarily the lung itself, but rather the circulatory system affected by nicotine.

Likewise, the feeling of shortness of breath can be due to direct effects of nicotine on the heart and blood vessels, or to a combination of genetic factors, exposures and habits that affect long-term lung health.

The growing popularity of nicotine pouches has led to numerous bans in many countries on every continent. Their nicotine content, a highly addictive substance, and their particular appeal to young people are the main concerns , even though they produce no smoke or ash.

The legislative landscape is complex and constantly evolving. In Latin America, countries such as Argentina and Mexico have implemented bans , although in the latter, the lack of specific regulations has created a legal loophole that some companies have attempted to exploit.

In Europe, the situation is no less varied. Belgium, France, and the Netherlands have opted for a complete ban on their sale. Germany , for its part, has approached the issue from a different perspective, classifying nicotine pouches as food; since nicotine content in food is considered a health risk , this has resulted in a de facto ban. Other Nordic countries, such as Finland and Denmark , are in the process of severely restricting the available flavors to tobacco and menthol , thus seeking to reduce their appeal, especially among the younger population.

Beyond these continents, countries like Australia and Singapore have also implemented strict bans , sometimes extending existing regulations or classifying them for medical use under prescription. Canada and New Zealand have also introduced legislation restricting the import and sale of these products, especially those with high doses of nicotine.

This global trend underscores governments' concern about the health risks associated with nicotine, even in the absence of combustion. Although nicotine pouches are presented as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, the science is clear: nicotine is a highly addictive substance with potential cardiovascular and brain development effects in young people. The dynamics of bans and regulations will continue to define the future of this product in the global market.

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