UK teen suffers heart, gum and lung damage from legal nicotine pouches

Clare Nichols, a 15‑year‑old from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, began using nicotine pouches that are sold legally to anyone, including under‑18s. The small, flavored bags, bought online or in local shops without ID, were used in quantities of eight to ten per day, costing about £60 weekly.

Within months she developed severe gum disease, losing two back teeth, and the infection entered her bloodstream, causing dangerously high blood pressure and early signs of cardiac arrest. She also experienced heart‑related symptoms, nausea, and a decline in concentration that harmed her school performance.

Health experts warn that the unregulated, high‑strength nicotine pouches are creating an epidemic among teenagers, with usage rates reported to have risen sharply in recent years. The case highlights concerns over the accessibility of these products to minors and the lack of health warnings.

The story underscores calls for stricter regulation of nicotine‑pouch sales to protect young people from serious cardiovascular, dental and respiratory risks.