Companies that make cigarettes continue to make and invest in other nicotine and tobacco products. They deliberately target young people with advertising, promotions and flavours.
If you do not smoke, do not start using nicotine products. Smokeless products are not harm-free and have no health benefits.
You can become dependent on these products and use them for a long time.
These nicotine 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.
Nicotine pouches (snus)
Nicotine pouches are small pouches of powder with:
- nicotine - this nicotine is made in a lab and not from tobacco
- flavourings
- sweeteners
- fillers and other chemicals
You put the pouches between your lip and gum. Other names for nicotine pouches include snus or white snus.
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.
Snus is also a name for pouches of powdered tobacco. But you cannot buy snus with powdered tobacco in Ireland.
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 teeth and gums - such as tooth decay or gum disease
- mouth ulcers
- dry mouth
- nausea and stomach problems
- nicotine poisoning
We do not know the long-term risks of nicotine pouches.
Using nicotine pouches with other products
Most people who use pouches use other nicotine or tobacco products too.
If you often use 2 or more types of nicotine products, it increases the risk of negative effects. You may also have a higher level of nicotine dependence.
We have advice if you want to quit vaping or smoking. Our advice on how to quit vaping may also help if you want to stop using nicotine pouches.
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 tobacco powder
- snus - tobacco powder in a pouch that you put under your lip
- heated tobacco - you use an electronic device to heat tobacco and breathe in the vapour
It is illegal to sell these products in Ireland. But people may still bring smokeless tobacco 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.