# Awareness and use of nicotine pouches in a nationwide sample of adults in Poland

## TL;DR

This study explores how aware and how many adults in Poland use nicotine pouches, finding that younger people and current smokers are more likely to use them.

## Contribution

The study presents the first national data on nicotine pouch awareness and use in Poland, identifying key demographic and behavioral risk factors.

## Key findings

- 24% of respondents in Poland were aware of nicotine pouches, with 9.2% reporting ever having used them.
- Younger individuals, current smokers, and e-cigarette users were more likely to have used nicotine pouches.
- Most respondents (60.7%) perceived nicotine pouches as equally harmful as combustible cigarettes.

## Abstract

Nicotine pouches are a new type of nicotine-containing product that have been marketed in many countries worldwide, generating growing acceptance among consumers. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with public awareness and use of nicotine pouches among adults in Poland.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 1080 adults in Poland (February 2024). Awareness of nicotine pouches, history of use, current (past 30-day) use of nicotine pouches, as well as perception of harm was assessed using a purpose-designed questionnaire.

Awareness of nicotine pouches was reported by 24% of the sample, while 9.2% reported ever having used a nicotine pouch product, and 4.3% using a nicotine pouch in the past 30 days. Among all respondents, 60.7% perceived nicotine pouches as harmful as combustible cigarettes, 28.2% perceived nicotine pouches as less harmful, and 11% as more harmful than combustible cigarettes. In multivariable logistic regression model, women (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.03–1.91; p<0.05), individuals aged <60 years (p<0.05), current tobacco smokers (AOR=2.59; 95% CI: 1.75–3.82; p<0.001), former tobacco smokers (AOR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.01–2.32; p<0.05) and ever users of e-cigarette or heated tobacco (AOR=2.90; 95% CI: 2.07–4.05; p<0.001) were more likely to declare that had ever heard of nicotine pouches. Moreover, individuals aged <60 years (p<0.05), occupationally active individuals (AOR=1.82; 95% CI: 1.01–3.31; p<0.05), current tobacco smokers (AOR=2.71; 95% CI: 1.48–4.97; p<0.01), and ever users of e-cigarette or heated tobacco (AOR=5.29; 95% CI: 2.96–9.44; p<0.001) were more likely to declare ever use of nicotine pouches.

This study provides the first national data on public awareness and use (ever and current) of nicotine pouches in Poland. Young adults, current smokers, and ever e-cigarette and heated tobacco users are at higher risk of ever use of nicotine pouches, so policy interventions are needed to protect young people from nicotine pouch marketing and nicotine initiation.