[By Christopher Bradley, MSW, Community Relations Liaison, St. Peter’s Health Partners.]
The holidays are a time for traditions. Family recipes, festive music, and cherished memories. Some traditions aren’t worth keeping, though.
For generations, nicotine addiction has woven its way through family life. Grandparents smoked pipes, parents lit cigarettes, and now nicotine pouches are becoming popular with today’s youth and young adults.
The tobacco industry continues to reinvent itself, introducing products that can be perceived as harmless, yet carry the same addictive properties. Nicotine pouches are a prime example. These small, discreet sachets fit under the upper lip and deliver a rapid hit of nicotine through the gums.
Brands like ZYN, Velo, and On! are marketed on social media platforms, utilizing influencers, memes, and hashtags that can make them appear trendy and “clean.” Ads highlight flavors like cool mint and citrus burst, featuring slogans such as “No smoke. No limits.” that can appeal to teens and young adults.
The CDC Foundation reports that monthly sales of nicotine pouches surged by more than 250% between 2023 and 2025, with youth and young adult use nearly quadrupling. The industry’s products include synthetic nicotine products which can be labeled as “tobacco-free,” creating confusion surrounding their harm. Tobacco-free doesn’t mean risk-free. Nicotine can damage the developing brain, impair learning, and lead to addiction faster than many realize.
This is why parental and consumer awareness is critical. Understanding emerging products like nicotine pouches is the first step in breaking the generational cycle of addiction. Talk to your kids. Ask questions. Share the facts. What starts as a flavored pouch can lead to a lifetime of dependence.
Whether smoked, heated, or tucked under the lip, nicotine products pose serious health risks. So, this year, give your loved ones the best holiday gift of all – freedom from nicotine. If you or someone you care about is ready to quit, offer encouragement, celebrate progress, and connect them with proven resources.
New York State’s Drop the Vape program offers free, confidential help for teens and young adults who want to quit nicotine products. Visit https://nysmokefree.com/drop-the-vape/ for support, tips, and resources designed specifically for youth.
The New York State Quitline offers free, confidential services, including telephone coaching, personalized quit plans, and a free starter kit of nicotine replacement therapy for eligible New Yorkers. Text 716-926-4422, call 1-866-NYQUITS (1-866-697-848), or visit https://www.nysmokefree.com/.
For adults, The Butt Stops Here is a free, award-winning cessation program offering virtual group support over seven weeks. Learn more or register at www.sphp.com/quitsmoking.
