US Fort Liberty Study: Soldiers Are 10 Times More Likely To Use Nicotine Pouches Than Civilians

US Fort Liberty study: Soldiers are 10 times more likely to use nicotine pouches than civilians

The study found that American soldiers are ten times more likely to use nicotine pouches than ordinary civilians, and 23.8% of soldiers have used them in the past 10 days. These products are not regulated by the FDA, and their safety is still inconclusive. Addiction is more common among young white male soldiers.
According to 29News on January 9, a new study shows that American soldiers are ten times more likely to use nicotine pouches like ZYN than ordinary civilians.

In a survey conducted at Fort Liberty, the largest military base in the United States, 23.8% of soldiers said they had used nicotine pouches at least once in the past 10 days. In a 2022 study of American adults, only 2.9% of people used it in the same time period.

Melissa Little, co-author of the study and director of the Nicotine and Tobacco Research Center at the University of Virginia, pointed out that these nicotine pouches are not regulated by the FDA like tobacco. Although some people believe that synthetic nicotine is safer than tobacco, doctors warn that it is too early to draw conclusions.

Little said that addiction is more common among young and white male soldiers. Although nicotine and tobacco use have historically been part of military culture, these nicotine pouches are particularly difficult to regulate.

Unlike cigarettes, soldiers can use these nicotine pouches at any time in the field and during training. Little said she is not opposed to soldiers choosing to use nicotine pouches, but hopes that they will be fully informed of the health information and potential harms. She noted that it will take time to determine exactly how big these risks are.

"It will be very difficult for public health professionals to address this issue, especially among young people and military personnel."