World Health Organization warns of rising nicotine pouch use among youth

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning about the rapid increase in nicotine pouch consumption, particularly among adolescents and young adults in the United States. The products, which are placed between the gum and lip, contain high concentrations of nicotine, generate strong dependence and pose risks to brain development and cardiovascular health. WHO noted a 251 % market growth in the United States since 2023 and highlighted the lack of regulation in more than 160 countries, while France and Spain have begun imposing age‑based restrictions.

Separately, health experts emphasize that tobacco use is also linked to emotional and mental health issues. A 2014 meta‑analysis found smokers are about twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression. In Ecuador, recent surveys show 13.7 % of adults and 4.3 % of adolescents have used tobacco, underscoring how stress, social pressure and limited access to emotional‑regulation tools can drive smoking. Experts call for integrated prevention strategies that address both the physical addiction to nicotine and the underlying emotional triggers.