Pakistan’s nicotine pouch market represents a complex intersection of public health concerns, regulatory challenges, and shifting consumer behaviors that demand a careful scrutiny. Recent studies indicate that approximately 17.2% of surveyed participants reported using nicotine pouches, highlighting their growing presence in Pakistani society (2023). These products, while marketed as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco, raise significant concerns about their impact on public health and their potential to create new pathways to nicotine addiction.

The demographic patterns of nicotine pouch use in Pakistan reveal troubling trends, particularly among young adults. Research shows that the mean age of users is 20.6 years, with many initiating use either out of curiosity or as an attempted pathway to quit conventional cigarette smoking.

This youth-centric adoption pattern is particularly concerning given that these products are being marketed in Pakistan at an unprecedented rate, despite limited information about their adverse effects (2023). The situation is further complicated by the fact that Pakistan operates in a regulatory vacuum regarding nicotine pouches, with no specific regulations governing their sale or distribution.

The rapid expansion of nicotine pouches in Pakistan’s market is driven by sophisticated marketing strategies and social media influence. Companies actively promote these products through social media platforms, with a sudden upsurge in advertisements and even free distribution across various cities.

This marketing approach particularly targets youth through appealing flavors and discrete usage possibilities, making the........

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