The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recent "Notes from the Field" in the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) offers fresh insights into youth nicotine use, particularly surrounding e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. While full data on traditional tobacco use is still forthcoming, there are already some key points to consider. 

One of the most significant takeaways from the report is the continued decline in youth vaping. Meanwhile, nicotine pouch use, involving popular brands like Zyn and On!, has seen a slight increase. However, it’s essential to keep these numbers in perspective: in 2024, only 1.8% of U.S. middle and high school students reported using oral nicotine products, up slightly from 1.5% in 2023. By comparison, 5.9% of students reported vaping during the same period, indicating that youth use of nicotine pouches remains substantially lower than vaping. 

When you compare the numbers, the percentage of youth using oral nicotine products in 2024 was 106.5% lower than those who were vaping. This stark contrast raises important questions about why public health groups are targeting nicotine pouches while overlooking other issues. For example, in 2023, 22% of U.S. high school students reported drinking alcohol—a far more dangerous behavior—yet there are no serious efforts to ban or heavily regulate alcohol for teenagers. 

Misguided Public Health Focus? 

Despite the low youth usage rates of nicotine pouches, some public health organizations are focusing more on vilifying these products than recognizing their harm reduction potential. For example, the American Lung Association (ALA) recently published a blog titled “ZYN 101: What to Know About Big Tobacco’s Latest Addiction,” framing nicotine pouches as a significant new threat without acknowledging their drastically reduced harm compared to cigarettes. 

The reality is that nicotine pouches, which don’t involve combustion and don't produce harmful tar and carcinogens. Countries like Sweden, which has embraced alternative nicotine products, have seen smoking rates drop by 55%. The Lancet's latest research shows that adopting harm reduction measures, like promoting nicotine pouches, could increase global life expectancy and prevent millions of premature deaths by 2050. 

Public Health England (PHE) has consistently pointed out that non-combustible nicotine products, including nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes, are significantly less harmful than smoking. In their 2018 review, PHE stated that e-cigarettes were "at least 95% less harmful" than smoking, a statement that applies similarly to nicotine pouches. 

Harm Reduction: The Overlooked Solution 

The public health narrative surrounding nicotine pouches often ignores the potential for harm reduction. Instead of promoting total abstinence from nicotine, which isn't realistic for many people, harm reduction offers safer alternatives for those who can’t or won’t quit. This approach is widely accepted in other areas of public health, such as drug and alcohol addiction, but remains underused when it comes to nicotine. 

By focusing solely on youth use and demonizing nicotine pouches, public health advocates risk sidelining millions of adult smokers who could benefit from switching to alternatives. Nicotine pouches provide an effective, smoke-free alternative. 

A Call for Balanced Public Health Policy 

The CDC’s 2024 report shows the importance of a balanced, data-driven conversation about youth nicotine use and adult harm reduction. While youth nicotine pouch use should be monitored, the real public health threats—like cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse—deserve more attention and resources. 

Policymakers and public health professionals need to recognize the role that nicotine pouches can potentially play in helping adults move away from combustible cigarettes. A truly effective public health strategy balances harm reduction with responsible regulation to protect youth, ensuring that both groups receive the support they need.