Thousands of tubs of dangerous nicotine seized

This brand claims to have 150mg of nicotine in each pouch, whereas an average cigarette has between 12-15mg

Nearly 4,000 tubs of illegal super-strength nicotine pouches have been seized in Kent over the last year.

Nicotine pouches are small sachets that fit under the top lip. They are largely unregulated and can legally be bought by children.

In 2024, Trading Standards in Kent seized 3,955 containers of the illegal pouches, which can be up to 15 times the strength of an average cigarette.

Robert Sidebottom, managing director of vaping regulator Arcus Compliance, said the illegal pouches could have devastating consequences.

"These nicotine pouches can be particularly toxic if you take too much of it," he said.

"The impact of overdosing of nicotine is heart palpitations, sickness, headaches. It can be lethal. It's unlikely, but there have been incidents in other countries were they have resulted in fatalities."

Non-compliant nicotine pouches do not have safety guidelines written in English

In 2023, the World Health Organisation said there was "limited information" on legal nicotine pouches, including on their abuse potential, harm and user profiles.

The organisation also said there is little evidence about the long-term effects of nicotine pouches due to the limited time they have been on the market.

The contents of the pouches is potentially lethal, a vaping regulator has said

Brett Crundwell, who owns a vaping shop in Didcot, Oxfordshire, said his gums began to bleed after 20 seconds of putting a pouch in.

Mr Crundwell said his friend's daughter vomited after trying the same brand of pouch.

A GP from Strood, however, believes legitimate pouches have a place in the fight against smoking.

"It's not as addictive or harmful to your health," said Dr Julian Spinks.

"Legal patches and pouches will have been tested, but if you get things that are illegal, you really just don't know.

"If children get hold of this, even a small dose could make them very ill."

The Department of Health and Social Care said its Tobacco and Vapes Bill will stop nicotine pouches and vapes from being marketed to children.

It added that funding has been allocated for enforcement to crack down on retailers selling the illegal products.