Use of nicotine pouches has risen substantially in Great Britain over the last five years, particularly among young men, with one in 13 (7.5%) men aged 16 to 24 now using them, according to a new study led by researchers at UCL.
The study, published in the journal Lancet Public Healthand funded by Cancer Research UK, found that use of pouches overall had increased from 0.1 to 1% of all adults, equivalent to about 522,000 people.
Most users (69%) also reported using other nicotine products such as cigarettes or vapes, but one in six (16%) had never regularly smoked, the researchers found.
The team looked at data from 127,793 people in England, Scotland and Wales aged 16 and above who responded to surveys between October 2020 and March 2025.
Currently, there are no age restrictions at all on the sale of nicotine pouches, although the forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill is expected to ban sales to under-18s.