The use of nicotine-containing products can continue for a long time even after someone has quit using tobacco, according to Dr. Ivan Berlin, a tobacco specialist at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris. Dr. Berlin explains that this is because these devices can maintain a strong dependence on nicotine. He states that nicotine addiction can explain the prolonged use of products containing it, whether they are pharmaceutical (such as nicotine replacement therapies) or not (like e-cigarettes, pouches/sachets, or white snus, which are banned in France, etc.), especially when the dependence was established at a very young age. Even after quitting tobacco, the need for nicotine can persist due to lasting changes in the brain's reward circuit. These changes can make it difficult for individuals to stop using nicotine products, even if they no longer use tobacco. Dr. Berlin emphasizes that the addiction is not only to the substance itself but also to the effects it has on the brain's reward system. The long-term use of nicotine products can have significant health implications, even for those who have quit smoking. While nicotine replacement therapies are designed to help people quit tobacco, they can still lead to continued nicotine dependence. This is a concern for public health officials and researchers who are trying to understand the full impact of nicotine use in various forms. Dr. Berlin's research highlights the importance of addressing nicotine dependence as a separate issue from tobacco use. He suggests that future public health strategies should consider the role of nicotine in both tobacco and non-tobacco products. This approach could help in developing more effective interventions for individuals seeking to reduce or quit nicotine use altogether.