WHO warns nicotine pouches 'engineered for addiction', targeting young people

On 15 May 2026, the World Health Organisation issued a strong warning over the rapid global expansion of nicotine pouches — small sachets placed between the gum and lip — accusing the tobacco industry of using deceptive marketing to hook adolescents. WHO's Dr Etienne Krug said governments are seeing 'use spread quickly, especially among adolescents and young people'.