Vaping took our youth by storm - will we let snus do the same?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-04-12 00:01

New Zealand

Lisa Risager via Wikimedia Commons

As NZ's smokefree commitments dwindle, experts worry that youth-targeted, multi-flavoured, "freedom"-branded snus may resonate with young people the way vaping has. Snus, a tobacco pouch which is placed under the lip, has roots in 18th century Sweden – but it's been gaining popularity overseas as the newest "smokefree" product of the tobacco industry. The authors of an NZMJ editorial say Aotearoa has the highest rate of youth vaping in the world, in part due to inadequate regulation, and they argue that snus is being deliberately marketed to precisely this demographic.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

The Government appears poised to allow the sale of oral tobacco and nicotine products in Aotearoa New Zealand. Evidence that these products can help people quit smoking is lacking, as is evidence of the safety of long-term use. In contrast, the safety and efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has been rigorously tested; NRT products are widely available in this country to help people quit smoking, as are vaping products. Flavoured nicotine products are highly addictive, appeal to youth, and are being marketed by tobacco companies as lifestyle products using online marketing. ZYN (a Philip Morris product) is being sold online in New Zealand, in apparent breach of the current law. Given Aotearoa New Zealand’s experience with youth vaping (i.e., we have the highest youth vaping rates in the world), a precautionary approach and rapid action is needed to avoid another regulatory failure.

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Research Pasifika Medical Association Group, Web page

Journal/
conference: NZMJ

Organisation/s: University of Otago

Funder: No competing interests listed.

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