Young people in Treptow-Köpenick are increasingly using tobacco-free nicotine bags

Young people in Treptow-Köpenick are increasingly using tobacco-free nicotine bags

tobacco-free nicotine bags are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to conventional cigarettes, including at schools in Treptow-Köpenick. The youth protection officer of the regulatory office reports on worrying observations that many young people have already come into contact with the new cigarette replacement, even though the product in Germany can be purchased illegally.

tobacco -free nicotine bag, also known as "snus", are placed between gums and lip. In contrast to the conventional snus, which also contains tobacco and is legal in some European countries, the tobacco -free nicotine bags consist of different ingredients, including nicotine. In Germany, they are classified as "Novel Food" and would need an approval to be legally sold.

Despite the legal ban, many students have already had experience with the nicotine bags, often through social media such as TikTok. Some incidents of loss of consciousness and emergency medicines have already been reported. The high nicotine dose in the bags harbors health risks such as the risk of addiction and acute nicotine poisoning.

The youth protection officer warns that many legal guardians, teachers and parents cannot know or recognize these products. The inconspicuousness of the bags complicates the discovery. He calls on to promote prevention and information events.

In the following table, the differences between snus and tobacco -free nicotine bags can be illustrated:

| | Snus (conventional) | Tobacco -free nicotine bag |
| —————— | —————————————————— | Ingredients | Tobacco, nicotine, flavors | Nicotine, water, flavors |
| Legality in EU | Legal in some countries | Illegal in Germany |
| Risks | Tobacco smoke, risk of addiction | High nicotusis, risk of addiction, nicotine poisoning |

It becomes clear that, despite their illegal status in Germany, tobacco -free nicotine bags enjoy increasing popularity among young people and bring serious health risks. In order to counteract this, increased clarification and prevention is required.

Source: www.berlin.de