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January 15, 2026 by 2firsts.com

In 2025, nicotine pouches have become one of the most closely watched categories in the global novel tobacco market, seeing rapid growth across manufacturing, branding, distribution, and retail. Just before Christmas, the U.S. FDA granted marketing authorization to six products under Altria’s on! PLUS brand, highlighting their recognition as tobacco harm reduction tools. Despite this, experts note that nicotine pouches are still relatively new and require longer-term, more detailed studies on safety. Concerns about oral health have grown, particularly regarding gum irritation, oral lesions, and potential long-term changes to oral tissues. As the market expands, ongoing research will be key to understanding both the benefits and risks of these products.

January 15, 2026 by filtermag.org

Recent expert consensus calls nicotine a potent cardiovascular toxin, urging the EU to act. The narrative of safer nicotine is challenged, emphasizing all forms are harmful. Recommendations include flavor bans and taxation proportional to nicotine content. Critics question the validity of the report's findings and policy goals. They argue for harm reduction, citing examples like Swedish snus. The report's stance against safer nicotine products is viewed suspiciously by advocates. It aligns with EU debates on tobacco regulations. Supporters of harm reduction stress its role in reducing smoking rates. The report's timing coincides with EU health plans, raising concerns about its influence.

January 14, 2026 by truthinitiative.org

A study by Truth Initiative found a surge in TikTok content featuring pouch products, correlating with a significant growth in oral nicotine pouch sales. The analysis spanning from January 2021 to October 2023 revealed a spike in viral TikTok videos related to pouches, leading to a sales increase of over 12 million units. This trend continued with the market growth rate surpassing 20 million units the following month. The researchers suggest a link between the prevalence of pouch-related TikTok videos and the market expansion, indicating a potential relationship between social media virality and the normalization of nicotine pouch use.

January 14, 2026 by go.com

Researchers say they analyzed thousands of videos with nicotine pouch-related hashtags.

January 13, 2026 by newswise.com

Jeff Stein, a health behaviors researcher at Virginia Tech, received a grant to test a low-cost intervention helping rural residents quit smoking. Less than 1 in 10 smokers succeed in quitting despite knowing the risks. The study will use episodic future thinking to promote healthier choices by focusing on long-term rewards. Participants will receive smoking cessation resources in a remote study, aiming to tailor public health interventions for tobacco use. Stein's research shows promising results in influencing addictive behaviors.

January 12, 2026 by gfn.tv

America’s tobacco policy has turned self-destructive. Safer nicotine products are demonized and restricted while combustible cigarettes remain widely available. In this GFN interview, Michelle Minton of the Reason Foundation explains how fear, ideology, and institutional incentives replaced evidence in U.S. tobacco control—pushing consumers back toward smoking and undermining one of the greatest public-health opportunities of our time.

January 12, 2026 by richmond.com

Despite political debate, the most effective way to reduce tobacco-related disease is to help smokers switch to much less harmful alternatives. Instead, the FDA has imposed regulatory barriers that keep safer vaping products off the market. At the same time, traditional cigarettes remain widely available. These outdated regulations work against public health goals. As a result, smokers are denied access to tools that could help them quit and save lives.

January 12, 2026 by medicalxpress.com

A study by University of California San Diego shows California's school-based tobacco prevention program, TUPE, led to 20% lower overall tobacco use and 23% lower vaping among middle and high school students. The program, funded by Proposition 56, provided education and activities that significantly reduced tobacco use rates. TUPE-funded schools saw more prevention education and anti-tobacco activities, contributing to lower tobacco use compared to non-TUPE schools. The findings highlight the importance of investing in effective prevention strategies to safeguard young people from addiction. School-based prevention programs, when combined with strong policies, play a key role in comprehensive tobacco control efforts, offering long-term public health benefits.

January 09, 2026 by thevibes.com

Minister of Health Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad warns that laws against tobacco and vaping promotion apply to all, regardless of status. Comedian Shuib Sepahtu was fined RM10,000 for promoting e-cigarettes, setting an important legal precedent. The Health Ministry stresses the importance of influencers and content creators in addressing smoking culture. The government is committed to enforcing regulations equally to tackle rising youth exposure to tobacco and vaping content online.

January 09, 2026 by filtermag.org

The 2025 Monitoring the Future Survey by NIDA shows stable low rates of youth substance use post-pandemic. Abstention from alcohol, cannabis, vapes, and cigarettes reached record levels across all grades. Factors disrupting drug use during the pandemic may lead to long-term changes. Despite concerns, nicotine vaping among teens remains lower post-pandemic. Heroin and cocaine show slight increases, but are still at low percentages. The MFS has influenced public policy since 1975 and remains unaffected by funding changes. Abstention rates continue to drop, suggesting lasting impacts on youth substance use behaviors.