Are nicotine pouches bad for you?
The main risk of using oral nicotine pouches is the high levels of nicotine. Although nicotine is a highly addictive substance, it is relatively harmless to health (NHS). Dr Ryan Marino, medical toxicologist and addiction medicine specialist at University Hospitals states:
“Nicotine pouches are a valuable tool for people who use other nicotine products, particularly by allowing people an option to stop or reduce tobacco product use.”
Are nic pouches safe?
Like e-liquids, nic pouches contain food-grade ingredients that are safe to consume.
We do not recommend the use of nic pouches unless you are over the age of 18 and are currently using other nicotine products, such as cigarettes, snus or vapes. You should not use nicotine products if you are breast-feeding, pregnant, or have high blood pressure.
Do nicotine pouches cause cancer?
As nicotine pouches do not contain many of the harmful, cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke, there is currently no evidence to suggest that nic pouches cause cancer.
How long do nic pouches last?
A single HELWIT nicotine pouch delivers nicotine for up to 60 minutes.
Can you reuse nicotine pouches?
No, nicotine pouches cannot be reused. Once used, nic pouches should be disposed of in household waste. The outer nic pouch can is made from plastic materials and should be recycled.
What happens if you swallow a nicotine pouch?
Although nicotine pouches comply with food regulations, they should not be chewed, sucked or swallowed. If you accidentally swallow a nic pouch, rinse your mouth with water and pay attention to any developing symptoms. If in doubt, always contact your GP or a healthcare professional.
Are nicotine pouches legal?
Yes. Nicotine pouches are legal in the UK.
Can I take nicotine pouches through airport security?
Yes, you can travel abroad with nicotine pouches, choosing to store them in your hand luggage or checked baggage. Remember to check the nic pouch rules at your destination country, as nicotine pouch regulations may differ to those in the UK.
Can you drink with a nicotine pouch in your mouth?
Yes, you can drink while using a nicotine pouch. We advise taking extra care to avoid swallowing the nic pouch.
Are nicotine pouches better than smoking?
Tobacco smoke contains over 5,000 chemicals, many of which are poisonous or carcinogenic. These chemicals spread through your body when smoking a cigarette and can affect every part of the body, from your skin to your brain (Asthma and Lung UK).
Responsible for more than 7 million deaths each year, tobacco is the leading cause of death, illness and impoverishment (World Health Organization).
Unlike cigarettes and snus, nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco. HELWIT nic pouches contain fillers, humectants, water, nicotine, acidity regulators, salts, flavourings, and sweeteners – all of which comply with food regulations.
For this reason, Dr Benjamin Chaffee, professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry and the UCSF Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education states “it’s reasonable to expect that these products would be less dangerous than smoking cigarettes.”
