Introduction to the ‘Masculine’ Trend
Talk about a parenting headache. When Kellie Whitehead’s teen son showed interest in nicotine pouches because he had seen them on TikTok and in the mouths of his favorite Premier League players, Whitehead decided to pop one with him. A smoker for about 30 years, the p.r. consultant from the UK was floored by the side effects. She felt nauseous and dizzy as the blood rushed to her head, her temperature soared and her heart raced.
Kellie Whitehead tried a nicotine pouch with her son, James, about 18 months ago. Kellie Whitehead
The Risks of Nicotine Pouches
“I’m 5-foot-8, and I’m a plus-size woman,” Whitehead, 47, told The Post. “What’s it going to do to a 13-year-old girl or a small-built 15-year-old boy? It was horrible.” So the tin went into the bin — or so Whitehead thought. She caught James, then 17, experimenting with it again two weeks later. He got sicker than before and appeared to learn his lesson.
The Growing Concern
Whitehead is among the parents badmouthing nicotine pouches as Gen Z becomes Gen Zyn. Pouch use nearly doubled among US high school students between 2023 and 2024, according to new research from the University of Southern California, as some teens see it as a “safer” alternative to smoking or vaping because it’s tobacco-free. The “lip pillows,” placed between the lip or cheek and the gums, deliver highly addictive nicotine through the lining of the mouth.
Zyn nicotine pouches are a popular brand. Getty Images
Health Effects
It’s too early to know the long-term health effects, but the pouches have been found to irritate the mouth, damage gums and increase the risk of heart disease and hypertension because nicotine raises heart rate and blood pressure. The USC researchers noted that nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm brain development, leading to difficulties with learning, memory and attention. Furthermore, alarming research has identified hazardous substances and potential carcinogens in some nicotine pouches.
The ‘Mascuzynity’ Trend
Young male conservatives, in particular, seem drawn to the buzz. “Mascuzynity” has been used to describe the curated image of hardcore hustle and rugged cool projected by so-called Zyn-fluencers. Bert Kreischer, Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan are among the celebs who have discussed using Zyn. (Carlson has since launched pouch brand ALP.) The market is expected to explode in the next five years. Though pouches are only supposed to be sold to adults 21 and older in the US, their prevalence among teens has prompted organizations such as the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to call for stronger regulations.
Regulation and Awareness
Long Island mom Laurie Ann Davis, who has volunteered with Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes, noted that the pouches could easily be mistaken for Chiclet gum. “This is just another gateway to hurt our children,” said Davis, whose adult son has used them after years of smoking and vaping. “What are they going to make up next?” Whitehead and James got sick from the pouches. Kellie Whitehead
Conclusion
Whitehead hopes the popularity of these products sparks important discussions between parents and teens. “We have to keep ourselves up to date and aware of everything that’s out there, and then look at it realistically,” she said. “We have to know it exists, we have to know what it looks like, and we have to know what it can do in certain strengths.”
FAQs
- Q: What are nicotine pouches?
- A: Nicotine pouches, also known as "lip pillows," are small, tobacco-free pouches that contain nicotine and are placed between the lip or cheek and the gums.
- Q: Why are nicotine pouches popular among teens?
- A: Nicotine pouches are seen as a "safer" alternative to smoking or vaping because they are tobacco-free, and their use has been promoted by some influencers and celebrities.
- Q: What are the health risks associated with nicotine pouches?
- A: The health risks include irritation of the mouth, damage to gums, increased risk of heart disease and hypertension, and potential harm to brain development in adolescents.
- Q: What can parents do to protect their teens from the risks of nicotine pouches?
- A: Parents should stay informed about the existence and risks of nicotine pouches, have open discussions with their teens, and advocate for stronger regulations to prevent underage use.
