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According to a survey of military personnel at Fort Liberty, the largest U.S. military base, American soldiers are ten times more likely to use nicotine pouches, which can cause serious health problems, than average American adults.
The study, conducted by researchers at UVA Cancer Center, Fort Liberty Department of Public Health and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, analyzed anonymous responses from 1,957 soldiers surveyed in 2022 and 2023. Of survey participants, 23.8% reported that they had used nicotine pouches in previous years. 30 days, compared to a 2022 survey that found only 2.9 percent of all U.S. adults had ever used nicotine pouches.
“Military personnel have historically used tobacco and nicotine products at a much higher rate than their civilian counterparts,” says Melissa Little, Ph.D., director of the Center for Nicotine and Tobacco Research at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. “Our results show that the same differences persist across new and emerging products, such as nicotine pouches.”
The researchers published their results in the journal JAMA network opened.
Growing popularity
The use of nicotine pouches grew in popularity during the study period, as 24.7% of soldiers surveyed in 2023 reported using nicotine pouches, compared to 20.2% in 2022. The highly addictive pouches have been linked to cardiovascular risks, pulmonary and stomach problems, gum ulcers, oral health problems and other problems, including nicotine’s ability to promote cancer growth.
Users were more likely to be younger, male, white, unmarried, and users of other tobacco or nicotine products such as cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and vaping. Soldiers aged 30 and older used nicotine pouches less often than soldiers aged 17 to 24. Study participants with at least a bachelor’s degree were more likely to use nicotine pouches than soldiers with a high school diploma or GED.
With approximately 200,000 U.S. soldiers leaving the military each year, the researchers say further research into nicotine pouch use is needed to develop ways to reduce nicotine and tobacco consumption as soldiers return to civilian life.
“We are currently working to address these high nicotine pouch counts by developing tailored interventions for military personnel,” Little said. “Given all that servicemembers sacrifice to serve our country, providing the tools to live the healthiest lives possible is the best way we can give back.”
The research team included Little, Kathryn M. Polaskey, Asal Pilehvari, Rebecca A. Krukowski, Kurt M. Ribisl, and Teresa D. Pearce. Ribisl disclosed that he has served as a paid expert consultant representing plaintiffs in lawsuits against e-cigarette and tobacco companies.
More information:
Melissa A. Little et al, Nicotine Pouch Use Among US Military Personnel, JAMA network opened (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.51517
Quote: Use of nicotine pouches by US soldiers 10 times higher than civilians (2025, January 15) retrieved January 15, 2025 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-soldiers-nicotine-pouch-higher-civilians.html
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