“The addiction can be silent”

You cannot smell it. You cannot see it. Because it is small and discreet, someone can use it at a desk, during a meeting, or even while driving without people around them noticing.

Dr. Magdy Bukhari is warning about the growing use of nicotine pouches, including products known locally as DZRT, particularly among young people.

The small pouches are placed inside the mouth and produce no smoke or noticeable odour, making them easy to conceal and use in places where smoking would not be permitted.

But the doctor says their discreet nature can hide a serious problem: users may not realise how much nicotine they are taking.

According to Bukhari, a single pouch can contain a nicotine dose comparable to that found in a pack of 20 cigarettes.

The high nicotine intake can quickly reach the brain and produce a temporary feeling of calm or relief. But that effect can be followed by anxiety, tension, and a drop in mood, encouraging the user to take another pouch to regain the initial feeling.

This can create a cycle of repeated use and dependence.

Because nicotine pouches can be used discreetly throughout the day, users may consume them repeatedly at work, while studying, or behind the wheel.

With continued exposure to high levels of nicotine, the body can develop tolerance and dependence, Bukhari said. Users may eventually feel they need nicotine to concentrate and may experience changes in their sleep and mood.

Bukhari stressed that nicotine pouches should not be considered a safe alternative to cigarettes, warning that their small size and lack of odour can make it difficult for users to recognise how much nicotine they are consuming.

The danger, he said, is that something that looks small and harmless can deliver a very large dose of an addictive substance.