Young British men are driving a nicotine-pouch boom and a regulatory reckoning is coming. A Lancet study found usage among 16-24-year-olds in the U.K. jumped from 0.7% in early 2022 to 4% by March 2025, with young men leading this increase at 7.5%. Nicotine pouch brands like Zyn and Velo have gained traction as a “less harmful” alternative to cigarettes, but health experts warn about cardiovascular risks and gateway potential—especially since 16% of users surveyed don’t smoke regularly. But a change might be coming as the U.K.’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to ban sales to under-18-year-olds and restrict youth-targeted packaging. It’s a pattern playing out globally: products positioned as harm-reduction tools face restriction when uptake skews young and non-smoking. (Bloomberg)
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