heated Tobacco Products and Nicotine Pouches: a Survey of People with Experience of Smoking and/or Vaping in the UK

Introduction: This text is a summary of a research article that investigates the use of heated tobacco products (hTPs) and nicotine pouches among people with experience of smoking and/or vaping in the UK. The study aims to assess awareness, ever and current use, characteristics associated with ever use, reasons for use, satisfaction, and interest in use of hTPs and nicotine pouches. The study also examines the relationship between socio-demographic factors and smoking/vaping status with the use of these products.

Key points:

* The study found that awareness of hTPs and nicotine pouches among people with experience of smoking and/or vaping in the UK was low, with current use being just over three percent and two percent, respectively.
* Being under 45 years, having higher education, living in London, and currently concurrently smoking and vaping were associated with ever having used hTPs or nicotine pouches.
* Curiosity was the most common reason for use or trial of hTPs, and a majority of those who had ever used them found them at least as satisfying as smoking.
* Nearly half of those not currently using hTPs expressed interest in using them, with interest being lower among those aged over 65 and higher among those smoking and vaping.
* The study found that low levels of use of hTPs and nicotine pouches are unlikely to substantially reduce the public health impact of smoking.
* The study did not assess interest and use among nicotine-naïve groups, nor the effects of use of hTPs or nicotine pouches on smoking cessation or reduction.
* Future research should assess these factors and the regulatory restrictions on these products.

Main message: The study suggests that the use of hTPs and nicotine pouches among people with experience of smoking and/or vaping in the UK is low, with little impact on reducing the public health impact of smoking. Further research is needed to assess interest and use among nicotine-naïve groups, as well as the effects of use on smoking cessation or reduction. Regulatory restrictions on these products should also be reconsidered if they help smokers to stop and/or are significantly less harmful.

Brose, Leonie S., Máirtín S. McDermott, and ann McNeill. “heated Tobacco Products and Nicotine Pouches: a Survey of People with Experience of Smoking and/or Vaping in the UK.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public health 18, no. 16 (august 22, 2021): 8852. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168852.