Nicotine Pouch Use Highest Among Smokers and Ex-Smokers
A new report from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) shows that nicotine pouch use in Great Britain is mostly concentrated among people who smoke or have smoked in the past. The data shows no indications that pouch use is increasing among adults who have never smoked.
Key Takeaways
- Nicotine pouch use is much higher among smokers (5.1%) than among never-smokers (0.3%).
- People who quit smoking in the last year have one of the highest usage rates (5.8%).
- Pouch use has more than doubled among current and former smokers since 2023.
- There is no clear evidence that nicotine pouch use is increasing among people who have never smoked.
New Report: 1.4% of UK Population Uses Pouches
According to the new report from ASH, around 1.4% of the adult population use nicotine pouches. Usage rates are much higher among current smokers, at 5.1%.
Among former smokers, the figure is 2.1%, while just 0.3% of people who have never smoked report using the product.
The findings also show that nicotine pouch use is particularly common among adults who have recently quit smoking. Among those who stopped smoking within the last year, 5.8% currently use nicotine pouches, a much higher rate than among former smokers overall.
Use Growing Among People With a Smoking History
ASH reports that nicotine pouch use has more than doubled among both current and former smokers since 2023.
However, there is no clear evidence that use among never-smokers has increased over the same period.
The findings support the view that nicotine pouches are mainly being used by people who already have experience with smoking or other nicotine products, rather than by people who have never smoked.
Follows Patterns From Previous Studies
Dr Marina Murphy, Senior Director of Scientific Affairs at Haypp, comments on the findings:
“The findings follow a pattern we see in other studies, where nicotine pouches are mainly used by adults who smoke or have smoked in the past.
At the same time, despite increasing awareness of the product amongst UK consumers, there is no clear sign that use is increasing among people who have never smoked."
