Sold in sleek tins and often flavoured like sweets or energy drinks, these small, discreet pouches are marketed as a smokeless, spit-free way to get a caffeine buzz.
But with rising reports of teens using them, and in some cases, becoming dependent, many are asking: are caffeine pouches a genuine health risk, or is the media fuelling a moral panic?
What Are Caffeine Pouches?
Caffeine pouches are small, teabag-like sachets filled with caffeine, flavourings, and sometimes additional stimulants like taurine or B vitamins. They're placed under the lip for slow absorption through the gums, much like nicotine pouches, with which they are often confused. Most brands advertise them as a convenient pick-me-up alternative to coffee, energy drinks, or pre-workout supplements.
Why Are Teens Using Them?
Several factors contribute to their growing popularity among young people:
Discreet use: Unlike energy drinks or coffee, they’re odourless and nearly invisible during use.
Flavour appeal: Popular options include mint, citrus, cola, and even bubblegum, clearly designed to appeal to younger tastes.
Perceived safety: Marketed as “healthier than energy drinks,” many teens assume they’re harmless.=
Social influence: TikTok trends and peer use have helped normalise their consumption, sometimes with hashtags like #CaffeineChallenge.
The Health Risks
Caffeine isn’t inherently dangerous in small doses, after all, it’s found in tea, coffee, chocolate, and over-the-counter medicines.
But there are genuine concerns when it comes to caffeine overuse, especially in adolescents:
Dependency: Regular high-dose caffeine use can cause physical dependency, with withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, and fatigue.
Heart concerns: Large doses can elevate blood pressure and heart rate, which may be risky for teens with undiagnosed heart conditions.
Sleep disruption: Caffeine affects sleep cycles, which are already vulnerable during teenage years.
Mental health: High caffeine use has been linked to increased anxiety, jitteriness, and mood swings , all especially concerning for developing minds.
Some pouches contain as much as 100-150mg of caffeine, equivalent to 1–2 strong energy drinks, and there’s a risk of teens using multiple pouches a day.
Media Hype vs. Measured Concern
Media reports often lean into alarmism, with headlines like “The New Drug Addicting Our Children”. While these articles raise awareness, they can sometimes obscure the truth in favour of sensationalism.
That said, experts in paediatrics and public health are issuing cautious warnings. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has called for better regulation of high-caffeine products, especially those clearly marketed in a youth-friendly way. In the US and parts of Europe, some schools have even started confiscating caffeine pouches alongside of vapes.
Should Parents and Educators Be Concerned?
Yes, but calmly and constructively. The issue isn’t just the caffeine itself, but the way it’s being marketed and consumed. Open conversations with teens about the risks, rather than scare tactics, are more likely to be effective.
Schools, too, can educate students about stimulant overuse, just as they do with vaping or alcohol. Regulation may eventually catch up, but until then, awareness is key.
Conclusion: Not Just Hype, But Not a Crisis Either
Caffeine pouches do represent a real public health concern, particularly in how they're being targeted and used by teenagers. However, we’re not looking at an epidemic — yet. With appropriate education, parental engagement, and policy oversight, their risks can be managed before they become widespread.