Teachers, health experts raise serious concerns over ‘explosion’ of nicotine pouches in schools

Teachers across NSW have sounded the alarm over an ‘explosion’ of nicotine pouches being sold in the schoolyard causing students to feel irritable and nauseous due to their harmful side effects.

Teachers have sounded the alarm over an “explosion” of nicotine pouches being sold in the schoolyard, causing students to feel “irritable” and “nauseous” due to its highly addictive and harmful side effects.

A Sunday Telegraph investigation has revealed more than 20 snus dealers – some based in NSW – are openly selling the illegal products to young teens on encrypted phone apps including Telegram, touting them as a “healthier alternative” to smoking. Student buyers are then dealing the snus at school.

The nicotine pouches, which are sold in small tins and are known as Zyn or “snus”, have gained popularity in recent months amid the crackdown on vapes.

They are discreetly tucked under the lips against the gums to send high concentrations of nicotine directly into the bloodstream.

Australia’s peak medical association warned the pouches will be similar to the vaping craze if swift action is not taken to crack down on them.

It is illegal to buy or sell nicotine pouches in Australia, and it is illegal for tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores to sell any type of vaping product.

But teachers from private and public schools told The Sunday Telegraph that students across NSW are easily buying the flavoured snus pouches on Telegram and on social media.

The students – mostly in years 9 and 10 – buy snus on Telegram for as little as $30 for 10 tins and resell them to their classmates at school.

In a bid to lure teens into buying the illegal products, one seller wrote: “Whether you’re looking for a mild 3mg pouch or a strong 20mg option, there’s something for everyone.”

A schoolteacher from Sydney’s west said there had been an “explosion” of students being caught selling and using snus in the schoolyard.

“I confiscated so many tins from students in the first school term this year,” the teacher said.

“I have seen students exchanging cash for the pouches at lunchtime and I’ve caught them using the product as it sticks out on their upper lip.”

AMA public health chair Dr Michael Bonning says governments need to crack down on snus. Picture: Supplied

Another teacher, from Sydney’s north, who was also aware of snus being sold on school grounds, said he was “deeply concerned” about the side effects.

“I’ve noticed that students taking the snus become quite irritable and nauseous because it appears to be much more potent than vapes,” he said.

Australian Medical Association public health chair Dr Michael Bonning said he was aware of reports of the use and onselling of the pouches in schools.

He warned the high dose of nicotine in the pouches could have side effects including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, high blood pressure and other health complications.

Smokers, and those who vape, typically inhale around 1.1mg to 1.8mg of nicotine per cigarette, whereas snus can have up to 16mg per pouch.

“The use of nicotine pouches is far more insidious because it is almost invisible,” Dr Bonning said.

“When we are hearing about it in schools, we are likely hearing a significant underestimate of the people who are using it.

“It will be the next vaping unless we learn our lesson from that and governments take proper action quickly, which the medical community would applaud.”

Students Charlotte Fleming (left) and Abbey Buxton said they knew of snus being sold in playgrounds. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Year 12 student Charlotte Fleming, 18, and her friend Abbey Buxton, 15, said they were aware of snus and other nicotine products including vapes sweeping schoolyards in Sydney’s west.

“Students are being sneaky and using the nicotine pouches in class,” Ms Fleming said.

“They are a huge problem in schools. I’ve seen students become nauseous and vomit when using them.”

Ms Buxton said she was aware of teens being able to “easily” buy illegal nicotine products from tobacconists and online.

“It’s a huge problem and students need to know of the risks of nicotine products because it will catch up to you later on in life,” she said.

Acting Premier and NSW Education Minister Prue Car said she would be very concerned if nicotine pouches are being sold inside the school gates and “I would expect principals to throw the book at anyone caught selling them”.

A Department of Education spokesperson said anyone caught using nicotine pouches would have their product confiscated and be disciplined in accordance with the student behaviour policy, which could include suspension.

Psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said: “These pouches are so incredibly addictive and you have a whole bunch of kids who are going to find it so hard to focus on their work because their physiology is craving this drug.”

Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro said online drug dealers were knowingly “grooming” and “seducing” teens into using the products.

A NSW Health spokesman said the state’s health department had an active compliance and enforcement program relating to the sale of illegal tobacco products vapes, including emerging products such as nicotine pouches.

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