Teenagers will always find new ways to push boundaries. The difficulty we face in education is trying to keep up with them and, ideally, ahead of them.
Vaping has been the bane of the lives of pastoral staff for some time now, so the news of the government banning single-use vapes from June 2025 was welcome. But as usual, teenagers find other ways to keep us busy.
There has recently been an increase in the use of nicotine pouches among teenagers. These are small, discreet pouches that are placed under the lip to release nicotine.
They have gained popularity partly because of their convenience and perceived safety in comparison with smoking cigarettes or vaping, but also due to their popularity with footballers and online influencers. There are significant concerns about the potential long-term effects on young people’s health and wellbeing.
Nicotine pouches: the new health concern in schools
Unlike cigarettes, these pouches do not contain tobacco, but they still deliver nicotine, which is addictive. They are available in a wide variety of flavours, with branding that makes them particularly appealing to teenagers.
And they are marketed as a safe alternative to smoking; a message that appears to be resonating with young people. There is a social stigma around smoking now, whereas these pouches offer the effects of nicotine without the negative impact on image.
The rise of vaping has contributed to the normalisation of nicotine consumption among young people, which has created an environment where trying nicotine pouches feels less risky or less of a taboo.
The trouble is that nicotine pouches are not regulated in the same way that traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes are, as they do not contain tobacco. Regulation falls under general consumer safety regulations, which means that they can be sold to under-18s. This leaves young people incredibly vulnerable because they are buying products on social media with no real idea of the contents or safety of them.
This has led to a flood of illegal types of nicotine pouches, with dangerously high levels of nicotine. Most pouches contain 6mg to 20mg of nicotine, while some can contain 50mg, which is about five times stronger than an average cigarette. There are even some pouches that claim to contain as much as 150mg of nicotine.
Due to the lack of regulation, all that is required of the packaging is that it is clearly labelled with some safety guidelines. This lack of guidance leaves young people vulnerable, with no instructions on how much one should take within a certain period of time, what to do if it is swallowed and so on.
Nicotine is a stimulant and it has an impact on people that consume it, especially if they are not used to it. It can cause dizziness, headaches, increased heart rate, nausea/vomiting, stomach cramps and weakness. Being addictive, it can cause withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, feeling irritable or angry, feeling anxious or having trouble concentrating.
So what should teachers do? Keeping an eye out for discarded pouches or tubs in bins is a good start, as is looking for changes in behaviour or temperament in students who may be using pouches. It is important that, as schools, we are talking to students and raising awareness of the potential dangers of nicotine consumption and always watching for its use within school.
Thomas Michael is a 51ºÚÁÏ lead
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