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10 substances

Tobacco & Nicotine

Cigarettes, vapes, snus, hookah and the nicotine products hooking the next generation. Nicotine is the most widely used addictive drug on earth — and the only one still marketed legally to adults everywhere. Most smokers start before 18. Every form carries its own harm profile: combustion cancer, nicotine pouches rewiring adolescent brains, hookah's hour-long smoke sessions.

8Mdeaths per year worldwide from tobacco (WHO)
10profiles in this category
Legal 18+/21+

Nicotine Pouches (Zyn & Copycats)

Small white pouches placed between lip and gum; flavors (mint, citrus, coffee)

Effects & risks →
Legal 18/21+ worldwide; advertising heavily restricted

Cigarettes

White filtered sticks or unfiltered; packs with graphic warnings in most countries

Effects & risks →
Legal 18/21+; FDA authorization required

Nicotine E-Cigarettes & Disposables

Colorful disposables (Elf Bar, Esco Bar), pod systems, mods; candy/fruit flavors

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Legal Sweden

Snus (Swedish Oral Tobacco)

Small teabag-like pouches placed under the lip; loose moist tobacco versions

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Legal 18/21+ US; banned EU sales

Chewing Tobacco & Dip

Loose leaf, plug, or fine-cut moist snuff placed in the lip/cheek; spit cup culture

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Legal 18+ in licensed venues

Hookah / Shisha

Waterpipe with flavored tobacco (apple, mint, grape); charcoal-heated; group sessions 30–90 min

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Legal 18/21+; taxed lower than cigarettes in US

Cigars & Cigarillos

Large cigars, small cigarillos (Backwoods, Swishers); the #1 wrap for blunts

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Kreteks banned US

Bidis & Kreteks (Clove Cigarettes)

Bidis: hand-rolled tobacco in tendu leaf, tied with string. Kreteks: clove-spiced cigarettes

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OTC

Nicotine Replacement (Gum, Patch, Lozenge)

Gum (2/4 mg), transdermal patches (7–21 mg), lozenges, sprays, inhalers (Rx some places)

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Legal adult product; EU sale rules; age-restricted

Nasal Snuff (Dry Tobacco Snuff)

Fine dry powdered tobacco in tins; sniffed, not smoked or chewed; centuries-old European tradition

Effects & risks →