Study: Flavored Non-Tobacco Oral Nicotine Products Gaining in Popularity Among Teens After E-Cigarettes

A study of southern California adolescents revealed that, following e-cigarettes, teens most often used flavored non-tobacco oral nicotine products such as those that come in lozenges, chewing gums or gummies, some of which resemble candy and can easily be concealed. The study, “Adolescent Use of Flavored Non-Tobacco Oral Nicotine Products,” published in the September 2022 Pediatrics (published online Aug. 8), surveyed 3,516 students in 9th and 10th grades from seven school districts during the fall semester of the 2021-22 school year. Prevalence was highest for use of e-cigarettes, (ever: 9.6%, past 6-months: 5.5%), followed by non-tobacco oral nicotine products (ever: 3.4%, past 6-months: 1.7%), and <1% for other nicotine and tobacco products. Students who were Hispanic, identified as female or a gender-minority identity or a sexual minority identity were more likely to report using these relatively new type of nicotine products. Students with a history of nicotine use were also more likely to use the non-tobacco oral nicotine products, compared with those who had never used nicotine. The researchers noted that nontherapeutic non-tobacco nicotine gums, lozenges, tablets, and gummies have several attributes that might attract youth, with some available in flavors such as “cherry bomb,” “fruit medley,” and “pomegranate.” The authors suggest that these products should be tracked in youth national surveillance surveys to inform national policies designed to protect pediatric populations and promote health equity.

###

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.