Vapes and nicotine pouches: how do I talk to my child about nicotine?

What are vapes and white snus?

A vape heats a liquid into a vapour that is breathed in. Most vapes contain nicotine (1177). White snus, also called nicotine pouches, is put under the lip, and the nicotine is taken up through the lining of the mouth (1177). Both often contain more nicotine than brown snus and ordinary cigarettes. They are marketed as tobacco-free, but usually contain nicotine from the tobacco plant (1177).

They come in sweet, fruity or fizzy-drink flavours and colourful packs that can be especially attractive to children (1177). WHO counts at least 16,000 flavours and warns that e-cigarettes are marketed to young people through social media and influencers. Some products sold as nicotine-free have been found to contain nicotine (WHO).

Why nicotine is riskier for young people

• Addiction: nicotine is highly addictive, and the younger you start, the harder it can be to stop (1177). The NHS says the developing brain is more sensitive to its addictive effects.
• Brain and mood: nicotine can affect how the brain develops (1177). WHO says nicotine in children and teenagers can lead to long-term effects on brain development and possibly learning and anxiety disorders.
• Everyday life: regular nicotine use can lead to poorer sleep, trouble concentrating, more worry, stress and anxiety, and poorer results at school (1177).
• Body: vaping can irritate the airways and cause coughing, a dry mouth and a sore throat, and can make asthma worse. White snus can damage the gums and the lining of the mouth. Both can raise the pulse and blood pressure (1177).
• Unknown long-term effects: the products are fairly new, so knowledge about long-term health effects is still limited (1177).
• Towards smoking: WHO reports that among young people who do not smoke, using e-cigarettes nearly triples the chance of starting to smoke cigarettes.

The NHS says nicotine vaping is less harmful than smoking, but not harmless, and not something for children and young people to try. In Sweden, vapes are not approved as a medicine to help people stop smoking (1177).

How common is it in Sweden?

In CAN’s 2025 national school survey, 14% of students in year 9 and 21% in the second year of upper secondary school said they had vaped in the last month. 14% in year 9 and 27% in upper secondary year 2 used snus, mainly white snus. A quarter of year 9 students had used tobacco or nicotine before the age of 14, more often than they had tried alcohol (CAN). So even if your child does not use nicotine, it is likely that someone in their class does.

How to talk about it

• Choose a calm moment. A car journey, a walk or doing something side by side can feel easier than a formal talk (ASH Wales).
• Start with a question, such as “Vaping comes up a lot at the moment. What’s it like at school?”, and listen before you give advice (ASH Wales).
• Keep the facts few and true. Do not exaggerate the risks to make your point. That can make your child stop listening (ASH Wales).
• If you find a vape or a can: take a moment first. Starting while you are angry or frightened can turn the talk into an interrogation. One product does not mean your child is dependent (ASH Wales).
• Set clear limits. Being calm does not mean anything goes. You can still set boundaries (ASH Wales).
• Be a role model. When adults talk about the risks and stay off nicotine themselves, it lowers the risk that children start (1177).

If your child wants to stop

Stopping can bring withdrawal symptoms such as strong cravings, worry, trouble concentrating, low mood, restlessness, poor sleep, irritability and a bigger appetite. A craving usually lasts 20–30 seconds, and the symptoms usually pass within one to three weeks (1177). Cutting down gradually before stopping helps the brain get used to less nicotine (1177).

In Sweden, Sluta-röka-linjen gives free support by phone (020-84 00 00) and chat for anyone who wants to stop using tobacco or nicotine. The chat is available in Swedish and English (Sluta-röka-linjen). Youth clinics and the youth site UMO can also help (1177).