A GROWING number of U.S. adolescents and young adults are aware of and experimenting with vaping products that contain 6-methyl-nicotine, a synthetic nicotine analogue not subject to federal premarket review requirements, according to findings from a recent cross-sectional study. The data suggest that a substantial subset of this population may be at risk for exposure to potentially addictive and toxic substances that fall outside the current scope of FDA regulation.
The study, conducted between May and June 2024, surveyed 1,760 individuals aged 14 to 25 across the United States. Researchers found that 20.1% of participants had heard of vaping products containing 6-methyl-nicotine, marketed under names like “Metatine” and “Spree Bar,” while 8.4% reported ever using such products. Awareness and use were significantly more common among those with a history of tobacco product use. Among tobacco users, 24.4% were aware of these analogue products, and 14.7% had used them, compared with 14.8% and 0.6%, respectively, among never-users.
Notably, current tobacco product use was strongly associated with both awareness and use of nicotine analogue vapes. After adjusting for demographic factors, researchers reported a 74% increase in odds of awareness and a nearly 25-fold increase in odds of ever-use among current users, regardless of the specific tobacco product type.
While awareness levels did not differ significantly across most demographic groups, individuals identified as non-Hispanic white were more likely to report awareness than participants of other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
The findings highlight a concerning regulatory gap. Because synthetic nicotine analogues like 6-methyl-nicotine are not currently subject to premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) requirements, manufacturers can introduce these products to market with minimal oversight. Researchers caution that targeted local regulation may be warranted to protect adolescents and young adults from exposure to unregulated nicotine analogues.
Reference:
Sanchez LM et al. Awareness and Use of Vaping Products With a Nicotine Analogue Among Adolescents and Young Adults. Pediatrics. 2025:e2024070484.
