This study used the 2025 Monitoring the Future survey, in which 484 US youth (6.1%) reported ever using nicotine pouches. Experimentation (32.3%) and nicotine buzz (30.5%) were the commonest reasons, while quitting smoking (6.2%) and feeling addicted (2.1%) were rare. Citing flavours, convenience or feeling addicted was linked to past 30-day use (prevalence ratios 1.50-2.35). These reasons were also linked to more days of use (incidence rate ratios 1.60-2.55). Experimentation was linked to fewer days of use (incidence rate ratio 0.42). Reasons overlapped with e-cigarettes, but that comparison used subsamples of only 57 frequent pouch users and 397 frequent vapers.
Why it is interesting: Regular pouch users and regular vapers in this survey gave similar leading reasons: relaxation, convenience, nicotine buzz and flavours. Flavours and convenience were tied to both current use and frequency of use.
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