FDA Delays Nicotine Pouch Approval Over Youth Addiction Concerns
Nicotine pouches await FDA clearance in the US as scientists voice worries over potential risks to young users, stalling a fast-track approval process.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to authorize the sale of popular nicotine pouch products in the United States, despite a fast-track approval scheme, as agency scientists express concerns over the potential risks these products pose to new users, including children, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
Nicotine pouches, which users place under their lip to experience a nicotine buzz, must receive FDA authorization before they can be legally sold in the U.S., the world's largest market for smoking alternatives valued at around $22 billion.
The FDA had planned to expedite the review process for these new tobacco products, but agency reviewers have raised the alarm over the addiction risks associated with nicotine pouches, particularly for young users who may be attracted to the discreet, easy-to-use nature of the products.
Source: The Guardian
