Five 15-year-old students in Gdynia examined after consuming snus at school initiation

Initiation incident at High School No. 10

Police officers in Gdynia intervened at High School No. 10 following an alert regarding five 15-year-old first-year students suspected of taking unauthorized substances during school initiation events. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon, with police dispatchers receiving an emergency call at 13:45. Arriving officers determined that the teenagers had consumed snus, oral pouches containing concentrated doses of nicotine that are placed between the lip and gum.

We received a report according to which five 15-year-old students might be under the influence of prohibited substances. The duty officer immediately initiated actions, as a result of which officers determined that the students consumed so-called snus.

Medical evaluations and police inspection

Following the initial assessment by officers on site, emergency protocols were initiated for the teenagers involved. Four of the 15-year-old students were taken to a local hospital by their parents to undergo medical examinations. The fifth student was released directly to their parents and returned home without requiring hospital admission.

Four of them went to the hospital with their parents for examinations. One of the students returned home under parental care.

Officers also brought in a police dog handler with a service dog to conduct a detailed search of the high school building and grounds. The inspection concluded without detecting any illicit narcotics or banned substances on the premises. Officials from the Gdynia City Hall stated that the pupils received appropriate medical care and confirmed that there is no danger to their lives or health.

Allegations of student coercion

The initiation event, known as otrzęsiny, is traditionally held at the beginning of the school year to welcome first-grade pupils. Following the incident, reports surfaced indicating that several incoming students might have been coerced by older peers into taking the nicotine pouches. A parent contacted regional broadcaster Radio Gdańsk to state that first-year students were pressured into taking the substance.

Officers from the Gdynia Municipal Police Headquarters are continuing to establish the exact sequence of events during the gathering. School administrators convened an emergency pedagogical council meeting to assess the incident, while informational meetings with parents were also organized. Staff from the Education Department of the Gdynia City Hall announced that they remain in direct contact with school leadership while police clarify responsibility.

Legal status of oral pouches in Poland

The incident in Gdynia drew public attention to the legal boundaries governing oral nicotine products across Poland. Traditional snus containing processed tobacco leaves is banned from sale within the country and across most member states of the European Union. In contrast, synthetic and tobacco-free nicotine pouches are legally sold in Poland, but only to individuals who are at least 18 years old.

Nicotine pouches release concentrated doses directly into the oral mucosa, causing rapid absorption into the bloodstream within minutes. Depending on the brand and formulation, nicotine concentrations per pouch can exceed those delivered by conventional combustible cigarettes, occasionally causing accelerated heart rates, rhythm irregularities, and dizziness among younger users without established chemical tolerance.