British American Tobacco (BAT) will launch a version of its Velo nicotine pouches using synthetic nicotine in the United States, David Waterfield, president of the company's U.S. subsidiary Reynolds American,

Nicotine pouches have overtaken cigarettes in youth popularity, as tobacco product use among US middle and high schoolers dropped to its lowest level in a quarter of a century, according to official data released Thursday.

"Nicotine pouches are discreet and available in a variety of flavours — factors that make them appealing to younger Australians. Much like vapes, they are being sold illegally by tobacconists," Dr Jongenelis says. "It is concerning that these addictive products are finding their way into the hands of adolescents."