A legal loophole means children can buy a highly addictive drug on any high street that can lead to dizziness, vomiting and bleeding gums.

       Nicotine pouches can offer a higher dose of the habit-forming substance than smoking, but despite this, only the tobacco-containing version of the product has been banned in the UK.

       This means the pouches, which do not contain tobacco but still contain nicotine, are freely available to youngsters sparking fears many are getting hooked on a drug that can cost less than ￡5.

       Rishi Sunak's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which has significant cross-party support, is due to bring in legislation to ban the sale of the products to children but with the General Election, no restrictions are yet in place.

       The Department of Health and Social Care has stated in relation to the Bill that "vaping alternatives, such as nicotine pouches, will be outlawed for children who are increasingly turning to these highly addictive substitutes".

       Don't miss... Experts explain the best foods to eat to beat nicotine cravings this summer [REPORT ]

       However, The Sun reports the industry is worth ￡48million in the UK and alarmingly schools have reported pupils feeling "nic sick" from using the pouches.

       Nicotine reaches the brain within 10 seconds and sparks the release of adrenaline which can be pleasurable, however, the feeling quickly fades leaving users craving more.

       Children using the patches can feel sick, dizzy, and develop bleeding gums from rubbing the pouches in their mouths to get the 'high' they are seeking. The pouches are used by placing them between the upper lip and gum, where the nicotine is absorbed.

       Don't miss...

       Doctor warns vaping is ‘more addictive’ than smoking cigarettes [REPORT ]

       'Vape alarms' installed in schools as they are triggered 20 times a day [SPOTLIGHT ]

       Jeremy Clarkson warned he'll suffer ‘agonising death’ if he doesn’t quit habit [REVEAL ]

       Role models such as social media influencers and sports stars have been seen using nicotine pouches, with a -Loughborough University study, -commissioned by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), finding one in five male and female professional players have used pouches.

       Alicia Drummond, founder of the Teen Tips charity, told the Sun: "We don't want anybody getting hooked on nicotine, but particularly not at a young age when they're developing their brains. We need to protect them."

       And Doctor Harry Tattan-Birch, an addiction specialist at the University College of London, told the publication “the biggest risk is people who try these products who don’t smoke or vape".

       He added: “With nicotine pouches, there's this rapid release of nicotine that people tend to enjoy, and it leads people to want to do that again.

       “Over time, they'll need more nicotine to get the same subjective feeling, and then someone might progress onto a stronger and stronger product.”