Companies that make cigarettes continue to make and invest in other nicotine and tobacco products.
They may promote new products as:
- safer alternatives to cigarettes
- a way to quit smoking
But the products are not harm-free. If you do not smoke, do not start using them. There is no health benefit.
You can become dependent on these products and use them for a long time.
These products are not the same as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). NRT is a group of safe and effective medicines that help people stop smoking. They contain low levels of nicotine and you use them for around 12 weeks.
Smokeless tobacco
Types of smokeless tobacco include:
- chewing tobacco - you chew the tobacco and spit out the juices
- snuff - finely ground tobacco that you sniff, inhale or put under your lip
- dissolvable tobacco - strips or sticks of powdered tobacco
- snus - tobacco in a pouch that you put under your lip
- heated tobacco - you use an electronic device to heat tobacco and breathe in the vapour
Oral tobacco products are illegal in Ireland. Heated tobacco products are not available. But people may still bring these products into the country.
Risks of smokeless tobacco products
The health risks of smokeless tobacco products can include:
- problems with your teeth and gums
- nicotine poisoning
- stomach problems
- problems with your taste and smell
- leukoplakia - white patches in the mouth that increase your risk of mouth cancer
- cancer of the mouth, tongue, cheek or gums
- throat cancer
- cancer of the pancreas
We are still learning about other health risks.
Nicotine pouches
Nicotine pouches contain nicotine powder mixed with flavourings, sweeteners, fillers and other chemicals. You put the pouches between your lip and gum.
Nicotine pouches are not yet covered by the same laws as tobacco products. This means they may be easier for young people to buy and use. It can also be hard to know if someone is using a nicotine pouch.
Some websites may sell nicotine pouches as a way to stop vaping. But we are still learning about the best way to quit vaping. Most people who use pouches use other nicotine or tobacco products too.
Effects of nicotine pouches
Nicotine pouches can contain high levels of nicotine.
Nicotine can cause:
- increased heart rate
- increased blood pressure
- sleep problems
- problems with attention, learning and impulse control in young people
- mental health difficulties, such as anxiety
- heart problems
We are still learning about other risks of nicotine pouches but they may include:
- problems with your gums
- mouth ulcers
- dry mouth
- nausea and stomach problems
- nicotine poisoning
We do not know the long-term risks of nicotine pouches.