Parents and carers are being warned about an increasingly popular new nicotine product that children can legally buy in person and online without proof of age.
Nicotine pouches, which some suppliers market in similar ways to sweets to make them more appealing to consumers, have no limits on their strength.
This makes these pouches extremely addictive, especially to young people who are more sensitive to their effects.
The government is currently seeking to bring in new laws to ensure young people can’t get access to these products, but these are not yet in effect.
Free samples are being given out in places such as train stations, shopping centres and festivals in an effort to encourage people to try the product.
People can also order free sample packs online and have them delivered to their door.
Given the strength of some pouches, there are some reports of children fainting after consumption, showcasing the damaging impact it can have.
If addicted, young people can become dependent on the product, with physical and psychological factors making it difficult for them to stop, even if they want to quit.
The pouches, which are placed in between a person’s lips and gums to release nicotine and flavours into the blood stream, have been used by some professional athletes because of unproven claims they have performance enhancing benefits.
The pouches are sometimes also referred to as Snus, although Snus is a tobacco product that is illegal in the UK.
