A social media creator has issued a stark public health warning after a popular nicotine habit left her face visibly lopsided. The incident has sparked concern over the growing use of snus pouches among young people in the UK.
The Viral Warning from TikTok
Charly, a content creator known on TikTok as @queencandyc, shared a video demonstrating how her face had become asymmetrical. Smiling for the camera, she showed viewers that her right cheek lifted significantly higher than her left. She attributed this directly to her habit of placing the nicotine pouch, known as snus, on that side of her mouth.
In her post, she wrote: “This is your sign to lay off the Snus. No more zings for me.” When followers asked what happened, she replied simply, “Had too much fun.” The video quickly drew attention, with users expressing alarm and seeking more information about the potential side effects.
What Are Snus and How Popular Are They?
Snus are small, teabag-like pouches containing nicotine, which users place between their upper lip and gum. The nicotine is then absorbed through the gums into the bloodstream. While traditionally associated with Scandinavia, their use has been growing in the UK.
According to data from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), usage remains relatively low nationally but is rising sharply among younger adults. Between 2023 and 2025, use among 18 to 34-year-olds increased from 1.2% to 2.6%. This contrasts sharply with just 0.2% of adults over 55 using them.
The data also reveals a significant gender gap: young men under 40 are nearly three times more likely to use nicotine pouches than women (3.5% compared to 1.2%). Public awareness of these products is also climbing, with 56% of adults aware of them in 2025, up from 45% in 2023.
Health Context and Safer Alternatives
While snus and similar nicotine pouches are often marketed as alternatives to smoking, they are not risk-free and deliver a highly addictive substance. Charly's experience highlights a potential, though not widely documented, physical side effect from prolonged placement on one side of the mouth.
For those seeking to quit smoking, the NHS promotes Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). These are medically approved products—such as patches, gum, or lozenges—that provide a controlled dose of nicotine without the tar, carbon monoxide, and other toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke.
NRT is available to buy from pharmacies and shops, and can also be prescribed by a doctor or an NHS stop smoking service. Health professionals advise anyone concerned about nicotine use to seek guidance from these official channels.
