Nicotine toothpicks
PRODUCT WATCH
Toothpicks containing nicotine are being sold by UK-facing retailers. They may look ordinary, but they are nicotine products.
SAFETY ALERT
Some cannabinoid vapes are sold with labels such as HHC, HHC-P, THC-P or THC-O. UK and Welsh testing shows the label may not match what is actually inside.
PRODUCT WATCH
Some nicotine chewing gum sold to consumers is not licensed as stop-smoking medicine. It can look similar to familiar nicotine replacement gum, so the packaging and purpose matter.
PRODUCT WATCH
Small nicotine tablets that sit under the lip and dissolve completely are now being sold in the UK. They are different from nicotine pouches because there is nothing left to remove.
RESEARCH ALERT
6-MN is a chemical similar to nicotine that has appeared in some international vape and oral products. Early research says it should not be assumed to be a safer alternative to nicotine.
DATA UPDATE
We have Welsh data on adults and young adults, plus Great Britain data for 11–17-year-olds. We do not yet have an equivalent Wales-wide figure for under-18s.
PRODUCT WATCH
Thin nicotine strips that dissolve under the lip are now being sold in the UK. They can be small and easy to miss, and being on sale does not tell us how common use is in Wales.
PRODUCT WATCH
Toothpicks containing nicotine are being sold by UK-facing retailers. They may look ordinary, but they are nicotine products.
PRODUCT WATCH
Some vapes now have screens, games or designs that make them look more like gadgets or everyday objects. That can make them harder to recognise.
PRODUCT WATCH
Reusable pod vapes have become more common among young people who vape in Great Britain, and some look very similar to the disposable vapes they replaced.
POLICY UPDATE
The UK consultation on possible new rules for vape packaging, colours, branding and shop displays closed on 2 October 2026. The proposals are not law yet.
LAW CHANGE
From 29 October 2026, vaping and nicotine products covered by the new rules can only be sold to people aged 18 or over. New rules will also cover adults buying for under-18s, promotions and vending machines.
LAW CHANGE: NOW IN FORCE
A new UK tax and stamp system for vape liquids started on 1 October 2026. The stamp is about tax and supply rules — it is not a health or safety mark.
SAFETY ALERT
Welsh drug testing has found unexpected synthetic cannabinoids, sometimes known as Spice, in some vapes sold or described as THC, CBD or cannabinoid products.
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