Are Nicotine Toothpicks Bad for you?

While there’s no doubt that a nicotine toothpick is better for you than a cigarette or e-cigarette, nicotine is still a highly addictive substance. Nicotine toothpicks have become a cause for concern because of their popularity amongst teens. 

The main concern with these toothpicks is that they encourage young people to become dependent on nicotine from a young age. As your tolerance builds, your body needs more and more nicotine to feed it. Before long, a nicotine toothpick won’t pack enough punch, and you’ll turn to other tobacco products such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. In fact, studies suggest that people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to take up smoking cigarettes.

Contrary to popular opinion, nicotine toothpicks do carry their own set of health risks. While they contain fewer toxins than cigarettes or e-cigarettes, there’s a larger risk of a nicotine overdose.

Nicotine toothpicks are cheap and come in a wide array of candy-like flavors and colors, making them extremely attractive to young people. Left unsupervised, children and teens could suffer from a deadly nicotine overdose. According to the CDC, consuming 50 to 60 MG of nicotine is a deadly amount for an adult weighing around 150 pounds. 

Prolonged nicotine consumption also negatively impacts the moods as users suffer from a “comedown”. This can lead to depression and mood swings. 

What Do Nicotine Toothpicks Do?

Nicotine toothpicks are wooden toothpicks that contain nicotine and different flavorings. Depending on the manufacturer, some nicotine toothpicks are coated with a combination of nicotine, flavors, and preservatives. Some manufacturers infuse the mixture into the toothpick using a vacuum chamber.

Nicotine toothpicks come in a wide range of flavors. They are usually sold in packs of between 15 to 50 toothpicks, and each usually contains 2 - 3 mg of nicotine per toothpick. Here’s how they work:

Pop the toothpick in your mouth as you would a normal toothpick. The saliva in your mouth will release the nicotine from the toothpick and it is absorbed into the bloodstream. To speed up the release of the nicotine, you can chew on the toothpick. You’ll feel the effects of the nicotine within 15 minutes and they should last for as long as an hour.

Nicotine toothpicks have been touted as a good tool for smokers and vapers who want to quit. Nicotine toothpicks are discreet; there’s no stream of smoke and no odor, and they’re small enough to carry in your pocket. Thanks to this discretion, many nicotine enthusiasts have turned to nicotine toothpicks when they want to quit or simply can’t smoke the real deal at that moment.

Are Nicotine Toothpicks FDA approved?

Although nicotine toothpicks don’t contain tobacco, they’re considered a tobacco product and are regulated by the FDA. Much like nicotine pouches and lozenges. The FDA has expressed concern about the use of nicotine toothpicks, especially amongst teens. 

In a recent news article, the FDA said: “We’re especially concerned about novel nicotine-containing products, such as these nicotine-containing toothpicks, being sold and marketed to youth. Evidence shows that youth exposure to nicotine can adversely affect the developing adolescent brain and put youth at risk for nicotine addiction.” 

The FDA uses the same enforcement tools for nicotine toothpicks as it does for other tobacco products like e-cigarettes. The FDA has taken a strong viewpoint when it comes to nicotine toothpicks, sending a warning letter to one nicotine toothpick manufacturer for violating regulations. As with other tobacco products, nicotine toothpicks should not be sold to minors and should include nicotine warning statements on all packaging and advertising.

There is one notable difference between nicotine toothpicks and other nicotine products such as vapes and e-cigarettes. Nicotine toothpicks are not included in the PACT Act, nor are they banned from U.S mail delivery. This means that once manufacturers get through the Premarket Tobacco Application (PMTA) process, they can ship nicotine toothpicks across the country.

Are Nicotine Toothpicks Strong?

Yes. Nicotine toothpicks pack a serious nicotine punch. For context, one toothpick contains up to 3 mg of nicotine while a cigarette contains around 1.5 mg. With such a strong dosage of nicotine, the risk of addiction –especially amongst teens– is extremely high.

In fact, nicotine is so addictive that research shows a strong correlation between early nicotine use and addiction to nicotine, alcohol, and other drugs. Nicotine products are also linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, heart disease, and stroke.