TOBACCO-FREE CNY, OCTOBER 29, 2025 – This Halloween season, it is important to remember the manipulative tricks that the tobacco industry uses to addict youth. Making highly attractive products in thousands of flavors is one of the strategies the industry is using to target kids. There are more than 14,000 different flavors of tobacco products on the market, including fruit, candy, dessert, drink, and ice flavors. Many of these flavors reflect what is popular with youth at the moment. These include flavors such as Red Bull Ice, Cherry Cola, White Gummy, Bubble Gum, Rainbow Candy, and even Orange Vanilla Sunset.
The flavors appeal to youth and conceal the real dangers of the products. Behind the bright colors and candy flavors, there are serious health impacts from using these tobacco products. E-cigarettes (vapes) have very high concentrations of nicotine, with many containing 500 cigarettes worth of nicotine or more. With these high levels of nicotine, many youth are becoming highly addicted. Nicotine can impact mood, impulse control, learning, and even increase symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and depression, especially while the brain is still developing. These flavors make it easier for youth to start using nicotine, and make it harder for them to quit. Recent studies have even found that about 71% of youth who vape would quit if flavors were no longer available.
Nicotine pouches are a newer product being marketed towards a younger audience. They are small, white pouches that contain synthetic nicotine in a variety of strengths and flavors. They are placed in the mouth between the gum and cheek, and are left in for about 30 minutes to absorb the nicotine. With the many flavors and its discreet usage, nicotine pouch popularity is on the rise in younger populations. Popular brands include ZYN, on!, and Velo, which come in 3mg, 6mg, and 9mg strengths in the US, and even higher strengths internationally. Many of these brands also offer rewards programs with redeemable points for every can purchased, which can be turned into prizes that are desired by youth – Yeti coolers, Stanley cups, concert tickets, and assorted gift cards.
The marketing tricks from the tobacco industry are leading youth to nicotine addiction. They continue to make new products and flavors that will entice youth and get them to start using their products. Find out more about the harms of tobacco at our website, https://tobaccofreecny.org/