Are kids using nicotine in the classroom? What to look for and how to talk about risks

Oral nicotine pouches, such as market leader Zyn, are a new and rapidly expanding category of nicotine products. These small, white pouches filled with nicotine powder and flavors can be placed discreetly between the top lip and gum. Due to their placement, they are sometimes called a “lip pillow” or “upper decky.”

Zyn is currently the brand with the largest market share, followed by On!, Rogue, and Velo. Like many youth-appealing e-cigarettes, oral nicotine pouches come in a variety of flavors including fruit, mint, coffee, cinnamon, and more. They also come in a variety of nicotine strengths, with some containing high concentrations of nicotine.  

As of 2024, youth use of these products is relatively low, with 1.8% of middle and high school students reporting current use of oral nicotine products. Regardless, the discreet nature of the pouches (they are difficult to detect once inserted into the mouth) and their appealing flavors have raised concerns that these products could be attractive to young people.

In the newest trend among disposable e-cigarettes, manufacturers are now adding high-tech elements such as Bluetooth capability, high-definition screens, and speakers to their e-cigarette products, with some versions including games similar to Pac-Man and Tetris.

Some of these products, such as the Craftbox V-Play 20k disposable vape, feature video game controls that make the e-cigarette look like a handheld gaming device. Other brands include wireless speakers that users can pair with their phones, and some even light up while music is playing. Many of these products are sold for $20 or less, making them affordable for cost-conscious young people.

As students return to school, it’s important that teachers and administrators know how to respond if they catch students using nicotine products.

It’s best to respond with support, not punishment. Students who violate tobacco policies should be approached in a supportive way that focuses on encouraging them to quit. Suspending students can cause even more problems at school and beyond, leading to lower test scores and graduation rates, among other poor outcomes. Racial bias can also be a factor in school suspensions, sometimes laying a path toward incarceration.