Flying out of the nicotine bag in the toilet? This could be it – 2024-05-10 11:59:37

There are stories circulating on Some about the disadvantages of using nicotine pouches. Among other things, it has been told how the stomach has gone completely crazy right after use, when you have had to go to the bathroom on the fly.

Special expert of the Institute of Health and Welfare (THL). Otto Ruokolainen considers it quite possible that the use of nicotine pouches can upset the stomach.

– There can be big differences in individual reactions.

Nicotine bags are bags used under the lip like snuff.

There is no researched information about the direct harms of nicotine pouches, as they have only been on the market for a short time, but there is information about the harms of nicotine through other products.

In April 2023, Fimea, the safety and development center for the pharmaceutical industry, stated that nicotine sachets will no longer be classified as medicines according to the Medicines Act. Since then, nicotine pouches have been able to be sold in Finland without a separate sales permit.

It is known that nicotine can cause addiction even after a small amount of use.

Nicotine bags do not contain tobacco, but they can contain many times the amount of nicotine compared to traditional snuff. Elle Laitila

Weakness and feeling weak

For an inexperienced user, even one nicotine bag can cause some kind of intoxication.

This can happen especially easily if the product has been purchased from an online store, in which case the amount of nicotine contained in the product can remain obscure.

Common symptoms of nicotine poisoning include sweating, palpitations, weakness, feeling unwell, nausea and vomiting.

A large amount of nicotine can cause more serious poisoning symptoms such as shortness of breath, convulsions and arrhythmias. If you notice such symptoms, you must immediately seek hospital treatment or call the emergency number 112.

Special expert Ruokolainen says that flavorings are used in nicotine pouches to increase their appeal, but also have other effects.

– For example, menthol facilitates the absorption of nicotine.

Changes to the brain

In young people, nicotine can cause permanent changes in the brain, which exposes them to, for example, concentration problems and depressive symptoms.

In long-term use, nicotine increases blood pressure, strains the heart, increases the risk of arterial diseases and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The nicotine contained in nicotine pouches is a poison that can also cause harm to others. A used nicotine pouch can be dangerous if it gets into the reach of children or animals.

Nicotine has also been used as an insecticide.

Ruokolainen hopes that those interested in using nicotine pouches will think about it some more.

– The products are made attractive, but the tobacco and nicotine industry is a pretty ruthless industry, he states.

In the School Health Survey 2023, 11 percent of the 8th and 9th grade boys and three percent of the girls reported using nicotine patches occasionally or daily.

The use of nicotine pouches is most common among boys studying for a trade, 42 percent of whom had used them at least once and five percent daily.

The story was published for the first time on May 9, 2024