Health experts warn younger Queenslanders are being targeted by the latest discrete trend pointed to overtake vaping.

A new and illegal nicotine trend that is targeting young Queenslanders with claims it’s an “upgrade from vaping” has alarm bells ringing across the state.

Illegal nicotine pouches in colourful packaging are being marketed to young Queenslanders as an “upgrade” to vaping and smoking.

A university survey of 1600 adolescents and adults aged between 16-39 found a quarter of respondents had used nicotine pouches, commonly known as snus, with one in five saying they had used them in the past 30 days.

The Sunday Mail visited several tobacco stores across South East Queensland and saw a number of brands of snus openly displayed.

Zyn tobacco pouch products are popular with teens. Picture: Supplied

The containers, retailing for about $20, had labels such as “energy drink” and flavours including blueberry, sour raspberry, strawberry and grape, with a small warning label reading “this product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical”.

Another brand, available for sale on local websites, brands itself as the “hot new style giving the same effects and flavours as vapes”.

Tobacconist in Waterford West in Brisbane displaying several brands of the nicotine pouches for sale. Photo: Tayla Couacaud

Snus are the size of a piece of chewing gum and are tucked under the lip, with claims the nicotine from the product is absorbed into the bloodstream faster.

A sales assistant at one inner-Brisbane store said snus were also being accessed through door-to-door delivery services.

Consumers can also buy popular brands through Facebook marketplace.

A Snuss website advertising nicotine pouches as “hot new style” for vape users. Photo: supplied

A Theraputics Good Administration spokesman told the Sunday Mail there has been an increase in the number of nicotine pouches being stopped by Australian Border Force between January 1 and September 13 this year.

“The ABF and TGA have seized more than 7.5 million nicotine pouches. The TGA is concerned about the rising profile of nicotine pouches in Australia,” a spokesman said.

A Queensland Health spokesman said about 3000 illegal nicotine pouches had been seized between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

A Courier Mail investigation revealed illegal nicotine pouches were alarmingly accessible to Queenslanders.

It is illegal for retailers to sell or advertise nicotine pouches because they have not been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Where pouches labelled with nicotine are detected, enforcement action may include seizing the products, with maximum penalty of up to $112,910.

These breaches are required to be prosecuted and there are currently no on-the-spot fines for such offences.

Dr Nick Yim is the new president of the AMA Queensland said nicotine pouches are harmful to developing brains. Photo: Josh Woning

Dr Tianze Sun from the University of Queensland’s National Centre for Youth Substance said snus companies were using marketing strategies that appeal to young audiences.

“The use of fruity flavours, colourful packaging, and influencer marketing makes the products attractive to young people,” Dr Sun said.

“Nicotine pouches, which don’t contain tobacco, are not approved by the TGA and can’t be legally sold by general retailers … either.

“The only legal way to get nicotine pouches in Queensland is through personal importation with a doctor’s prescription. But it’s very unlikely that young people are accessing them this way.”

Originally published as Health experts warn younger Queenslanders are being targeted by the latest discrete trend pointed to overtake vaping.