Research shows rise in young children ingesting nicotine pouches

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that from 2020 to 2023, there was a 763 percent increase in nicotine pouch ingestions among children under 6 years old.

"What this shows is that kids are finding these pouches," says Dr. Rais Vohra, the Interim Health Officer at the Fresno County Health Department. "There are hundreds of millions of these pouches being sold every year. Kids are accidentally ingesting them. Even if it's a very rare occasion, it's very concerning."

Dr. Rais Vohra explains that exposure to nicotine at a young age can impact a child's brain development.

It can also increase anxiety and addiction.

"With these pouches, they're very new, but I'm not going to be surprised if we see chronic effects of these nicotine pouches," Dr. Vohra said.

Researchers also looked at nearly 135,000 cases of nicotine ingestions from 2010 to 2023.

They found that the overall rate of nicotine ingestions increased by 59 percent from 2010 to 2015, but dropped by 34 percent from 2015 to 2023.

When it came to liquid ingestions, it jumped by 450 percent from 2010 to 2015, then decreased by 45 percent from 2015 to 2023.

"Many people don't realize that concentrated nicotine is very poisonous," Dr. Vohra said. "In a small child, that can land them in the emergency department, in the ICU and it can even be fatal."

While cigarette use in the United States has declined over the past decades, other nicotine products like pouches and vapes are still posing a public health challenge.

That's why officials say education is critical.

Experts say keeping pouches out of the home is the best way to keep kids safe.

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