It’s the next nicotine craze sweeping the nation. Here’s why nicotine pouches are a concern, and why SA has become the first state to ban them.
SA has officially pulled the plug on nicotine pouches, becoming the first state in the country to ban this sneaky nicotine trend before it can take off.
This latest ban follows the state’s tough vaping crackdown and is all about keeping the next generation of SA kids from getting hooked on yet another highly addictive product.
With medical experts, including the Australian Medical Association (AMA), throwing their support behind it, SA is making sure Big Tobacco doesn’t get another foothold in our state.
Why are nicotine pouches a problem?
These little pouches – also known as white snus, ziz, upper deckies, lip pillows or the brand name Zyn – don’t have tobacco leaves, but they pack a serious nicotine punch.
Users stick them under their lip, where the nicotine goes straight into their bloodstream. They don’t create smoke or vapour, which makes them super easy to hide – one of the big reasons they’re taking off with young people.
Dr Clinton Cenko, Manager of Tobacco and E-Cigarettes at Preventive Health SA, says these products are anything but harmless. “They’re made to be ultra-addictive, flavoured to lure in young people, and packed with nicotine,” he says. “We’re seeing major concerns about their effects on brain development, heart health, and long-term addiction.”
Some of these pouches even contain more nicotine than cigarettes, which means users can get hit with a rush of nicotine fast. “We’re hearing stories of young people feeling sick after using them because they’re not prepared for that level of nicotine,” Dr Cenko says.
A growing trend among young Australians
Seen the Zyn birthday cakes, snus-stuffed fridges, and gym bros hyping up nicotine pouches on TikTok? Nicotine pouches might be relatively new in Australia, but they’re catching on fast, thanks to a load of US-based “Zynfluencers”. They’re all over social media, making these pouches look like the next big thing.
A recent survey found that one in four young Australians (16-39 years old) has used a nicotine pouch. Almost one in five had used the pouches at least once in the previous 30 days. In SA, about six per cent of 15-29-year-olds have already tried them, and that number is climbing, says Dr Cenko.
“We’ve seen these products gaining traction in the eastern states, and now our enforcement officers are seeing them more here,” he says. “That’s why acting early is key – before they take off like vapes did.”
The crackdown: Major fines and stronger enforcement
Nicotine pouches are now completely banned under SA law. Selling them could land you a fine of up to $1.5 million, plus authorised officers now have the power to seize stock on the spot.
“This is about stopping another nicotine surge before it starts,” says Dr Cenko. “We learned our lesson with vapes – this time, we’re getting ahead of the problem.”
And this is just the beginning – the new laws also allow SA to quickly ban other nicotine products before they can take off, including nicotine gummies, lozenges, and anything else Big Tobacco might dream up.
“We know they’ll keep finding new ways to market nicotine to young people, whether it’s pouches, lollies, or something else,” says Dr Cenko. “This law means we can shut it down fast.”
Common myths about nicotine pouches – busted
1. “Nicotine pouches are harmless”
Reality: While they don’t contain tobacco leaves, these pouches still deliver nicotine and other chemicals. This means nicotine pouches can be highly addictive and can negatively affect brain development, gums, heart health, and mental health.
2. “Nicotine pouches are safe for young people and kids”
Reality: Nicotine is especially harmful to developing brains, which continue maturing into the mid-20s. It can interfere with learning, memory, and mental health, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and addiction later in life.
3. “Nicotine pouches don’t contain any harmful chemicals”
Reality: Although it lacks the tar and combustion byproducts of cigarettes, pouches still contain a range of chemicals and contaminants. The research on nicotine pouches is quite new, but already shows the health risks.
4. “Nicotine pouches aren’t addictive”
Reality: Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances, and these pouches often deliver it in concentrated amounts, making it just as habit-forming as smoking or vaping.
5. “Using nicotine pouches help you quit smoking”
Reality: There is no strong evidence to support the use of nicotine pouches for quitting smoking or vaping. Many users find they simply replace one nicotine addiction with another.
How this fits into SA’s nicotine crackdown
This isn’t just a one-off ban – it’s part of SA’s bigger plan to take down illegal tobacco and vaping products altogether. Since July, the $16 million enforcement taskforce under Consumer and Business Services (CBS) has been hitting dodgy sellers hard.
In just a few months, CBS and SAPOL have seized about $16 million worth of illegal tobacco and vapes, and now CBS is going after nicotine pouches too.
Other major crackdowns include:
- Banning vending machine tobacco sales
- Making it illegal to supply vapes to anyone under 18 with fines up to $1.5 million
- Stronger penalties for selling tobacco without a licence
- Huge fines – up to $1.1 million – for selling illicit nicotine products.
How the vape ban is working
If anyone’s wondering whether these crackdowns actually work, the numbers tell the story. Fresh data from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) shows vaping rates among 15-29-year-olds dropped by 28 per cent in just one year.
Among 30-59-year-olds, rates nearly halved, and overall, vaping among South Australians aged 15+ fell by more than a third from 2023 to 2024.
Even in schools, the difference is clear. Suspensions for vaping have dropped by more than 50 per cent, going from 388 in Term 1, 2023, to just 186 in Term 1, 2024.
Parents and teachers say they’re seeing fewer kids vaping at school, and young people are more aware of nicotine addiction risks than ever before.
Dr Cenko says part of the reason that the tough laws have worked is because they’re backed by targeted public education that reaches young people where they are – online, as well as by traditional methods like TV and radio ads.
The state government is investing an $2 million to support an advertising campaign this year aimed at reducing nicotine use in the community.
And strong enforcement is reducing supply, which is impacting the ability for kids to source the product and is making vapes more expensive.
The AMA backs the ban
Doctors are fully behind the South Australian government on this one. AMA SA has come out strongly in support of the ban, warning that nicotine pouches pose a serious risk to young people.
With their high nicotine content and addictive potential, medical professionals see these pouches as just another way for the tobacco industry to reel in a new generation of users.
So if you’re tempted by the TikTok hype to try the latest Big Tobacco trend, think again. These products are specifically designed to get you hooked, and they can seriously damage your health.
Add in the ban, huge fines and strict enforcement, and it’s time to finally show nicotine products – whatever form they come in – the bin for good.
Need support to quit smoking, vaping or using tobacco pouches? Talk to your GP, call the Quitline on 137 848, access online support or download My QuitBuddy App.
