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Category: Science & Innovation

  • Study: Curiosity-Based Messaging Reduces Nicotine Misperceptions

    Study: Curiosity-Based Messaging Reduces Nicotine Misperceptions

    Many Americans still misunderstand nicotine’s role in smoking, with some wrongly believing it causes cancer or isn’t addictive, according to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication and Rutgers University’s Institute for Nicotine & Tobacco Studies.

    In a new Scientific Reports study, researchers focused on three groups of smokers who have “been targeted by the tobacco industry and tend to hold more false beliefs about nicotine” than other populations: Black/African American adults, rural adults, and young adults.

    The study found that messages designed to spark curiosity—such as posing questions or sharing surprising statistics—were more effective at correcting nicotine false beliefs than fact-only statements, though the best approach varied by audience. The findings could help shape public education ahead of a proposed FDA rule to cap nicotine levels in cigarettes, which remain harmful regardless of nicotine content.

  • Study Links Teen Vaping to a Resurgence in Smoking Risk

    Study Links Teen Vaping to a Resurgence in Smoking Risk

    A new study is raising alarms that the decades-long decline in youth smoking could be at risk due to the rise of e-cigarettes. The research, conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Michigan, Penn State University, and Purdue University, suggests that teen vaping may be acting as a “gateway” to traditional cigarette use.

    According to the study, teen smoking rates have been in a steep decline since the 1970s, a result of widespread anti-smoking campaigns and stricter regulations. However, the study’s data suggests that for a new generation of youth, those protective measures may be failing.

    The research finds that the probability of a non-vaping teen becoming a regular cigarette smoker is extremely low—less than a 1-in-50 chance. But for a teen who has tried vaping, that risk jumps to more than 1 in 10, and for consistent vapers, the odds rise to nearly 1 in 3.

    The authors of the study, including Jessica Mongilio of the University of Michigan, are using their findings to advocate for stronger regulations on e-cigarette marketing and sales. They believe that building a strong body of evidence is essential to pushing for policy changes that could protect young people from nicotine addiction and prevent a reversal of the hard-won gains against tobacco use.

  • Tobacco Use Linked to Higher Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents: Study

    Tobacco Use Linked to Higher Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents: Study

    A recent study in PLOS Mental Health showed that adolescents who use e-cigarettes or traditional tobacco products have a higher likelihood of depression and anxiety than non-tobacco users.

    The study looked at more than 60,000 U.S. middle school and high school students between 2021 and 2023.

    According to the study, adolescents using tobacco reported more symptoms of depression and anxiety while adolescents using both e-cigarettes and conventional tobacco products showed higher risk of these mental health issues.

    The authors of the study stated that “while causality cannot be determined, the results from this study showed that all forms of tobacco use were significantly associated with mental health issues. There is a need to continue promoting mental health support and implementing tailored interventions to combat all forms of tobacco use among adolescents.”

  • Australian Study Finds Vaping Triples Quit Rate for Smokers

    Australian Study Finds Vaping Triples Quit Rate for Smokers

    A clinical trial by Australia’s National Drug and Alcohol Research Center (NDARC) at the University of New South Wales found that nicotine vapes are significantly more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) like gum or lozenges in helping low-income adults quit smoking.

    The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, followed over 1,000 daily smokers receiving government financial assistance. Participants were randomly assigned vaping products or nicotine gum/lozenges for eight weeks, along with motivational text messages.

    At the six-month mark, 28.4% of vape users had successfully quit smoking compared to 9.6% of those using gum or lozenges. However, the study also noted that 58% of quitters were still using vapes after six months, underscoring the need for ongoing cessation support to eventually wean off vaping as well.

    Lead researcher Dr. Ryan Courtney said the study’s real-world design — allowing participants to choose their own vape devices and e-liquid flavors — contributed to the impressive quit rates.

  • South Korea Expands Use of Mobile ID for Tobacco Purchases

    South Korea Expands Use of Mobile ID for Tobacco Purchases

    In response to a growing number of young adults who carry only smartphones, the South Korean government is promoting the use of its certified mobile identification card for verifying age when purchasing alcohol and tobacco. The mobile ID holds the same legal status as a physical card, and officials say it could boost small business sales by making age verification easier and more accessible.

    The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and HiteJinro announced a campaign in Seoul’s Seocho district to raise awareness among retailers. The initiative includes 1.5 million bottles of Soju labeled with mobile ID promotion and guides for store owners on verifying ID authenticity using anti-counterfeiting features like animated backgrounds and tilt-responsive effects.

    Starting late July, mobile ID access will expand beyond Samsung Wallet to include platforms like KB Star Banking, Naver, NH AllOne Bank, Toss, and KakaoBank.

  • Haypp Partners to Age-Verify Online Sales

    Haypp Partners to Age-Verify Online Sales

    Haypp Group has partnered with Veratad Technologies, a global leader in identity verification, to implement a next-generation compliance system on Haypp’s U.S. e-commerce platforms, Nicokick.com and Northerner.com. The partnership integrates Veratad’s advanced real-time age and identity verification tools to strengthen youth access prevention and regulatory compliance, while maintaining a fast, seamless shopping experience for adult consumers.

    “Age and identity verification isn’t just a compliance checkbox — it’s a fundamental part of who we are as a brand and our ongoing commitment to being a responsible retailer,” said Peter Grafström, President of Haypp Group US. “With Veratad’s technology, we’ve strengthened our position as a trusted leader while launching a best-in-class solution at scale. This is just the beginning and we’re excited about what’s ahead.”

    Haypp operates in seven international markets and sees this move as a major step in its commitment to being a compliance-first, trusted retailer in a fast-changing industry.

  • Study: Nicotine Loop Inhibits Dopamine, Induces Anxiety in Mice

    Study: Nicotine Loop Inhibits Dopamine, Induces Anxiety in Mice

    A recent study published on Nature.com explored how nicotine and ethanol influence dopaminergic activity and anxiety-related behavior through electrophysiology, optogenetics, and behavioral assays in mice. Researchers in France extracted neuronal currents from patch-clamp recordings, identifying signals significantly above noise levels and assessing peak responses following nicotine puffs or optogenetic stimulation. Juxtacellular and whole-cell recorded neurons were post-hoc identified via TH immunohistochemistry to confirm their dopaminergic phenotype.

    Mice showed altered time spent in open arms or traveled distances depending on drug and light conditions. Neuronal firing responses to nicotine and ethanol were quantified in vivo, classifying neurons as excited or inhibited based on significant deviations from baseline, identified using bootstrapping and spike interval shuffling. Correlation analyses explored how ethanol and nicotine modulate overlapping VTA dopamine neuron populations.

    The results highlight the nuanced, bidirectional modulation of VTA dopamine neurons by nicotine and ethanol, with implications for understanding reward, anxiety, and substance co-use.

    Read the entire study here.

  • Study: Vape and Nicotine Replacements Help People Quit Smoking

    Study: Vape and Nicotine Replacements Help People Quit Smoking

    A new clinical trial led by Flinders University in Australia found that offering a variety of nicotine replacement therapies—including vapes—alongside behavioral support significantly helps people leaving rehab stay smoke-free.

    The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, tracked over 360 adults exiting detox programs. Participants received either 12 weeks of vapes or traditional nicotine therapies like patches and gum, plus Quitline counseling. After nine months, 10% of both groups remained smoke-free, deemed a success for a population with typically high-smoking and low-quit rates.

    Lead author Billie Bonevski said the findings highlight the need to integrate smoking cessation fully into addiction recovery, noting that the type of nicotine aid matters less than consistent support and choice.

  • Truth Initiative Warns Smoking Depictions Threaten Real Decline

    Truth Initiative Warns Smoking Depictions Threaten Real Decline

    According to Truth Initiative’s latest While You Were Streaming report, tobacco depictions in movies jumped by 70% in 2023, which was the first increase since 2020. Meanwhile, 70% of binge-watched shows popular with 15- to 24-year-olds featured tobacco use, according to the seventh-annual report.

    “While youth vaping is down, on-screen tobacco imagery threatens to undo that progress,” said Dr. Jessica Rath, senior vice president of the Truth Initiative Schroeder Institute. “Young people deserve content and on-screen resources that support their well-being — not imagery that makes them more likely to start smoking or vaping.”

    “Widespread tobacco imagery, often portrayed as edgy, rebellious, or cool, risks normalizing nicotine use and slowing the current positive momentum in prevention,” the report said. “In 2023 alone, nearly 17 million young people were exposed to streaming shows that featured tobacco. Research from Truth Initiative shows that the more young people see tobacco imagery while binge-watching, the more likely they are to report intentions to vape or smoke in the future.”

  • Haypp Survey Tracks UK Nicotine Pouch Explosion

    Haypp Survey Tracks UK Nicotine Pouch Explosion

    According to research by Haypp, the UK nicotine pouch market grew 95% between 2023 and 2024, spurred by the recent ban on disposable vapes. The perceived social acceptability of pouches compared to other products also appears to be a factor driving the market growth, as 78% of nicotine pouch users surveyed believed that nicotine pouches were socially acceptable, compared to 30% who felt vapes were socially acceptable, and 13% who believed cigarettes were socially acceptable. 

    According to survey respondents, the main advantages of pouches compared to other nicotine products are that they are discreet (68%), they feel healthier (64%), and they do not affect others (54%). 

    Based on survey responses, the typical first-time user of nicotine pouches is 33 years old. Only 3% of those surveyed report having started using nicotine pouches before the age of 18. The research also found 57% of UK nicotine pouch users say they began using pouches as a way to quit smoking and 27% to transition from other nicotine products, primarily vapes.

    “These results suggest that while the nicotine pouch market is growing rapidly, users are typically a more mature demographic that value the more discreet nature of the product,” Markus Lindblad, director of Haypp, said. “It is also notable that many people have started using pouches to transition away from vaping. This could become an important trend in the UK’s drive to go smoke-free while introducing ever stricter regulations on vaping.”