What is Nicotine?
Nicotine is a natural compound found in various plants, including tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes, with its highest concentration in the tobacco plant. Belonging to the alkaloid family, nicotine has a complex biological effect, particularly on the human nervous system.
Is Nicotine Harmful?
While nicotine is highly addictive, it is not intrinsically harmful. The primary health dangers of smoking arise from toxic substances in tobacco smoke. Clean forms of nicotine are commonly licensed to aid smokers in quitting, providing a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.
The Risk Continuum
GINN follows the “risk continuum,” a scientific framework comparing the harms of smoking to safer nicotine alternatives. This approach allows us to advocate for informed choices and evidence-based policies by promoting reduced-risk alternatives and understanding their relative levels of harm.
Examples of Novel Nicotine Products
Nicotine Pouches
Small, discreet sachets of vegetable fibers infused with nicotine and flavors, nicotine pouches are placed between the lip and gum, allowing nicotine absorption through the oral mucosa. Unlike traditional snus, these pouches contain no tobacco leaves, and the nicotine can be either synthetic or naturally derived.
Heat-Not-Burn Products
These electronic devices heat processed tobacco at lower temperatures than cigarettes, releasing a tobacco-flavored vapor with nicotine but fewer harmful chemicals, reducing combustion-related risks.
Herbal Heated Sticks
An alternative to heat-not-burn products, these sticks use ingredients like tea, combined with nicotine or flavoring, offering a non-tobacco option for those seeking novel nicotine experiences.
Nicotine Dental Strips
Nicotine dental strips are thin, film-like strips infused with nicotine. Designed for oral use, they dissolve upon contact with saliva, releasing nicotine directly into the bloodstream through the oral mucosa. This method bypasses the digestive system and lungs, providing a cleaner, smoke-free experience.
Nicotine Lozenges
Nicotine lozenges are small, tablet-like products infused with a specific amount of nicotine. They dissolve slowly in the mouth, allowing nicotine to be absorbed through the oral mucosa. Lozenges are widely used as part of smoking cessation programs or as an alternative to traditional nicotine products.
Nicotine Gum
Nicotine gum is a popular and effective method for delivering nicotine to the body without smoking or vaping. It offers a flexible, user-controlled option for reducing cravings and supporting smoking cessation efforts.