Nicotine pouches can be dangerous to children if they use, touch, chew on, or eat them.

These small fiber pouches, which contain nicotine that is chemically synthesized or derived from the tobacco leaf, can cause nicotine poisoning in children. It’s important to keep these products away from kids and to be prepared in case of accidental exposure or ingestion.

During the three-year period of April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2025, the number of nicotine pouch exposure cases reported to U.S. Poison Centers steadily increased. Approximately 72% of reported nicotine pouch exposure cases occurred in children under 5 years of age. Ingestion was the reported route of exposure for almost all cases pertaining to nicotine pouch products (99%). Nicotine pouches can also harm pets.

Nicotine Pouches Are Dangerous, Especially for Children

The nicotine level in pouches can pose a serious risk of nicotine exposure, especially for younger children. The harmful effects of nicotine poisoning vary depending on the situation. The effects may include confusion, vomiting and loss of consciousness.

Containers for nicotine pouches – with bright, colorful designs – may seem tempting to children. They can even resemble candy containers.

But children should never use or have access to nicotine pouches or other tobacco products. The legal age to buy tobacco products is 21.

Properly Store and Handle Nicotine Pouches

Children are curious and put all sorts of things in their mouths. Even if you turn away for a few seconds, they can quickly get into things that could harm them.

Here are some tips to prevent accidental exposure to nicotine pouches:

Keep the containers out of reach and view of children and pets, such as a high cabinet that locks. Ask family members and visitors who use nicotine pouches to also safely store their products.

Choose FDA-authorized nicotine pouches with child-resistant packaging, especially if there are children in your household. Fully close the container and engage any child-resistant features of the packaging when you’re not using the nicotine pouches.

Store nicotine pouches in their original containers. Avoid transferring nicotine pouches to other containers/holders that could increase the risk of accidental exposure because they may not be child resistant.

Don’t use nicotine pouches in front of children. Explain to children that these products should not be touched and should only be handled by adults.

When to Call 911 or Poison Control

If you believe someone is experiencing an adverse event from a nicotine pouch, contact the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) or visit www.poisonhelp.org for help.

If a child can’t wake up, is having trouble breathing or has a seizure, call 911 immediately.

If you experience any unexpected health problems with a nicotine pouch or any other tobacco product, please report the issue to the FDA using the Safety Reporting Portal. The FDA has regulatory authority over tobacco products—including nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, hookah and pipe tobacco—as part of its mission to protect public health.

Accidental exposure to nicotine-containing e-liquids (the liquid used in “vape” products) can also cause injury and even death in children.

Source:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Properly Store Nicotine Pouches to Prevent Accidental Exposure to Children and Pets [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): FDA; 2025 Sep 2 [cited 2025 Sep 16]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/properly-store-nicotine-pouches-prevent-accidental-exposure-children-and-pets