In an FDA report titled “Results from the Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey” from January 2025, 1.6 million high school and middle school age students reported use of e-cigarette products. Over 480 thousand reported the use of nicotine pouches. 

According to UPrep’s Authentic Connects survey, an anonymous and self-reporting survey done once a year in the fall, 4.2% of UPrep students admit to using forms of e-cigarettes such as vapes. 

An anonymous sophomore shares their interpretation of the spike in usage at UPrep.

“I feel like students at UPrep aren’t super big into drugs,” the sophomore said. “I can only think of a handful of kids that I know here that use [nicotine] or marijuana.”

The sophomore points to bigger schools in the nearby area as a launching point for substance use at UPrep.

“My friends always tell me that’s where they get started,” the sophomore added. “They know someone there will give them something new like a zyn or vape and then they can spread it to their friends.”

Zyn, a popular brand of nicotine pouches have spiked in popularity as of late, despite being imported to the US since 2014. Due to a number of reasons, such as the easy accessibility and numerous flavorings, the pouches have appealed to younger users.

An anonymous senior feels that Zyn has been the most popular source of nicotine at the school.

“I’ve seen more and more students talking about it,” the senior said. “Apart from knowing some people that are on it, I can guess plenty of others are too.”

Another reason for the increased use of these pouches is the ability to hide them in school.

“It’s way easier to hide and people think it’s not as harmful,” the sophomore said. “I don’t think people actually know what’s in them.”

The senior points to a culture of experimentation as a reason for the growth of these products.

“It’s not like people are going around bragging about it,” the senior said. “But in groups, if someone starts using it, their friends will just want to be a part of it.”