What are Nicotine Pouches and Why are they so Popular?
Aug 28, 2024
The popularity that has greeted nicotine pouches in the UK over the last few years has been hard to miss. Nicotine pouches are another addition to a long list of nicotine products in the market that present an alternative for users looking to quell their nicotine cravings.
But what are nicotine pouches exactly, and what’s behind this surge in their popularity?
In this post, we take a closer look at nicotine pouches and answer all your questions about nicotine pouch usage.
What are nicotine pouches?
As a vendor, one of the most popular questions we come across often is, “what are nicotine pouches, and how are they effective as a tobacco cessation method?”
Nicotine pouches are a type of product that resembles a small rectangular-shaped tea bag that delivers nicotine to the user by placing it inside the mouth between your gum and upper or lower lip.
While categorised as a tobacco product, the permeable sacks (which resemble Nicorette or Wrigley’s Orbit gum) do not contain any tobacco. That’s a characteristic they share with vape e-liquids.
But what they do contain is nicotine, which comes in varying quantities depending on the brand. This nicotine is either synthetic or derived from tobacco – another characteristic they shar with vapes.
Nicotine pouches are a convenient way to consume nicotine as all you have to do is pop one into your mouth whenever a craving strikes. There is no smoke involved, and there is no need to spit either. This makes them perfect for use regardless of the setting.
As with all nicotine products, the nicotine pouch space is well served, with plenty of brands to choose from. Some of the most popular nicotine pouch brands in the UK include, among others:
It’s also worth mentioning that nicotine pouches are available in a slew of flavours.
How do nicotine pouches work?
Now that you know what are nicotine pouches, let's take a look at how nicotine pouches work.
Just because nicotine pouches are an oral form of nicotine replacement option leads some to confuse them with traditional snus (which is packaged the same way) or other forms of oral nicotine products such as nicotine gum and nicotine pearls, the latter a more recent product in the market. But these are all different products, unique in their own right.
Nicotine pouches, as we’ve mentioned, are a modern alternative to traditional tobacco products.
The small white pouches are tucked between the lip and gum, from where they deliver nicotine into the bloodstream. You can choose to place the pouch between the gum and either the upper or lower lip depending on which feels more comfortable for you.
The nicotine is absorbed through the inner lining of your mouth, so the idea is to let the nicotine pouch sit (“park” it) inside the mouth for a few minutes before removing it. The routine might feel a little off at first if you are not used to nicotine pouches, but you’ll get the hang of it after a while.
Once you have placed the pouch, you might experience a tingling sensation. This is down to the active ingredients in the pouch and it will go away after a short period.
As to how long you should leave the pouch in your mouth, anywhere between five to 15 minutes should do for beginners. The length of time will depend on how much nicotine you need or how long you want to enjoy the experience, which varies from one user to the next.
A nicotine pouch can retain its potency for up to an hour, but unless you’re a seasoned user, you don’t have to leave it in for that long.
Remember, consuming too much nicotine can cause side effects such as dizziness, headache and nausea. Plus, you don’t want to develop a nicotine tolerance which can come with longer usage. Because just like chain smoking (or chain vaping) this can ultimately lead to more nicotine consumption, and that’s not always a good thing.
Not to mention, too much consumption over a prolonged period will make you immune to lower strength nicotine pouches – or any other form of nicotine for that matter.
Which leads us to the next point.
How much nicotine is in a nicotine pouch?
Nicotine pouches come in a wide array of nicotine strengths to cater to users at all levels. Nicotine pouch strength varies wildly, usually ranging anywhere between 2 mg to north of 20 mg per pouch. It is possible to find even higher concentrations, but usually most users find their sweet spot in between this range.
Nicotine pouch strength is measured in milligrams per gram (mg/g or simply mg).
The level of concentration can be broken down into different strength categories to help you determine your ideal strength. These are:
- Low strength pouches (light). These are pouches that have a nicotine concentration of between 2-4 mg per pouch. They are ideal for beginners or users with a low nicotine tolerance.
- Medium strength pouches (normal). Nicotine concentration ranges between 6-8 mg per pouch. These pouches are suited for moderate nicotine users, or individuals with an intermediate tolerance for nicotine.
- High strength pouches (strong). Have a concentration of between 10-12 mg per pouch. Suitable for heavy vapers, smokers or experienced nicotine pouch (or snus) users.
- Extra high strength pouches (extra strong). Anything above 14 mg/g is highly concentrated and recommended for very heavy nicotine users or individuals with a high nicotine tolerance.
This is a general guide to follow when evaluating nicotine pouch strength.
Related: What’s the Best Nicotine Level For You?
Different nicotine pouch brands indicate nicotine concentration in different ways.
For example, some may use a series of dots while others may use a line scale. Typically, the more dots there are, the higher the nicotine strength in a given offering. For instance, one dot for light and four dots to indicate super strong. Similarly, a thin line indicates a lower strength, while a longer bold line means extra strong.
Other brands employ text or numerical labels. Nicotine pouch strength in text will be displayed as “strong”, “extra strong” etc. Numerical labels might also carry numbers like 1, 2, 3, 4; the bigger the number, the higher the nicotine concentration. And vice-versa.
You will find this information displayed on the nicotine pouch can.
If you’re new to nicotine pouches, we recommend starting with a low strength offering, and then establish how well it works for you or fulfils your nicotine needs. However, if you are an active nicotine user (be it a smoker, vaper or user of smokeless tobacco products), make your pick depending on your usage level or preference.
Choosing a nicotine strength is important because it determines how satisfying your overall experience will be. Too low a strength and the pouch or brand will not fulfil your nicotine needs adequately. Likewise, a higher nicotine strength than is suitable will get in the way of your enjoyment.
You can always scale your way up or down depending on your needs.
Read: How to Reduce Your Nicotine Intake as a Vaper
So, why are nicotine pouches so popular?
Nicotine pouches have been around for a while, but it was not until the late 2010’s and early years of this decade that they truly took off.
Despite being a relatively new product in the market, the nicotine pouch space has witnessed significant improvements within a short space of time. Initially, users had limited options when it came to nicotine pouch flavours, strengths and formats. But things have quickly changed.
In terms of flavour, mint was the most predominant nicotine pouch flavour. And while that is still the case today, flavour options have expanded and today users can choose from a gamut of alternatives.
Whether you need a fruity flavour like Wild Berry or Banana, something a little unconventional like Bubblegum or Kiwi, or tried-and-tested flavours such as Spearmint or classic Mint, there is a flavour to satisfy every taste.
As far as strength goes, there is a variety of options to choose from as well.
Format refers to the actual build of nicotine pouches. Slim was the only option available for some time, but nicotine pouch brands are now releasing pouches that differ in size, shape and weight.
The growth of the nicotine pouch industry has contributed a lot to the popularity of nicotine pouches.
But perhaps a better way to understand why nicotine pouches are so popular is to look at the perceived nicotine pouches benefits to users (particularly when juxtaposed against traditional forms of nicotine consumption).
Nicotine pouches benefits
There are several potential benefits of using nicotine pouches. These include:
- Lower health risks
- Good nicotine delivery
- Convenience
- Availability of different flavours
- Used as a smoking cessation tool
- No secondary effects on others
- Better craving management
Lower health risks
Nicotine pouches are not entirely risk-free. However, they generally carry lower health risks compared to smoking or chewing tobacco, and this has made them a hugely attractive alternative.
The lower health risk of nicotine pouches is down to two things:
Zero tobacco in nicotine pouches. As we’ve already mentioned, nicotine pouches are tobacco-free products. They only contain nicotine which is extracted from tobacco or synthetic nicotine.
But why is this important? Well, tobacco is known to contain many harmful chemicals, which is the reason traditional tobacco products are widely considered dangerous. Nicotine pouches therefore appeal to users who would rather avoid the health risks associated with tobacco use.
That aside, tobacco-free pouches do not stain the teeth and gums, unlike their traditional tobacco alternatives.
Smokeless. The fact that nicotine pouches provide a smoke-free experience also serves to explain their growing popularity. Not only is there no tobacco present in pouches, but also there is no combustion involved.
In other words, using nicotine pouches means users do not have to inhale the numerous toxic substances that come about as a result of tobacco combustion, some of which are known carcinogens. These include carbon monoxide, tar and arsenic.
Nicotine delivery
Another reason nicotine pouches have picked up so fast is their efficacy when it comes to nicotine delivery.
Many users have typically found nicotine replacement therapy such as nicotine gum, patches and lozenges ineffective as far as nicotine satisfaction is concerned. This is why these products have a low success rate when it comes to helping smokers quit and the rate of relapse is high.
In terms of providing nicotine satisfaction, this is an area nicotine pouches shine in. They are very effective, with non-nicotine users reporting experiencing a “high” after using pouches.
This is partly what has led to the bad rep nicotine pouches have got, with claims that it can lead to abuse by the youth looking for a quick high – the highly addictive nature notwithstanding.
Also Read: The Benefits & Downsides of Nicotine-Free Vaping
Convenience
Convenience is one of the nicotine pouches benefits that has endeared them to users. Nicotine pouches can be used anywhere and anytime. They are a discreet form of nicotine consumption as they do not produce smoke or vapour like cigarettes and vapes.
This makes them ideal for individuals who want a quick and un-obstructive way to get their nicotine fix. Ditto anyone who wants to avoid the restrictions that come with smoking or vaping in public spaces.
Flavour options
Nicotine pouches may not be as varied as vape e-liquids when it comes to flavours, but they still provide users with a diversity of options.
Whether you prefer a traditional tobacco flavour, mint or something fruity, there is a pouch to satisfy your needs.
This makes them a viable option for anyone who prefers a smokeless (or vapourless) nicotine product but at the same time wants to steer clear of chewing tobacco.
Smoking cessation tool
It would be remiss to list nicotine pouches benefits and exclude this obvious benefit. People looking to quit smoking have multiple options to choose from; some effective, others not so much.
Nicotine pouches present another alternative to managing nicotine cravings without the adverse effects associated with regular cigarettes.
The fact that nicotine pouches are available in a variety of strengths means users have a method that allows them to wean themselves off nicotine by gradually reducing the nicotine pouch strength they consume.
No secondary effects
Unlike smoking which exposes other people to second-hand smoke which is considered dangerous, there are no such concerns with nicotine pouches.
This makes pouches a more considerate option when consuming nicotine in public or shared spaces.
Better craving management
The thing about cigarettes and vapes is that you have to light up whenever a nicotine craving strikes.
By comparison, a single pouch is capable of lasting up to an hour depending on the brand, therefore guaranteeing extended nicotine release compared to the former two. Assuming of course, that the user so wishes since the duration of use is at your discretion.
Looking at the ability to manage nicotine cravings from this standpoint, it means nicotine pouch users are better placed to manage cravings more effectively due to the extended nicotine release without the need to up their frequency of use.
Downsides of nicotine pouches
With so many nicotine pouches benefits, are there any downsides to consuming nicotine in this form?
There are some potential risks associated with nicotine pouches that users need to be aware of.
These nicotine pouch downsides include:
- Risk of addiction
- Potential health risks
- Oral issues
- Potentials for misuse
- Associated costs
Risk of addiction
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, and use of nicotine pouches can get you hooked to nicotine pouches.
Nicotine dependency can be difficult to overcome. Therefore, users who are not active nicotine users (either as smokers, vapers or consumers of smokeless tobacco) should be aware of the risk of addiction and use pouches responsibly.
Potential health risks
It is true that nicotine pouches are generally considered less harmful than smoking. But that’s not to say they are completely risk-free as far as the potential effects on your health go.
Besides being addictive, nicotine has its own share of side effects which include increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, tingling in hands and feet, mood changes and more.
These aside, nicotine is also known to have an adverse effect on important body systems, notably the cardiovascular system, oral, respiratory, nervous and reproductive systems.
Oral issues
Speaking of the oral system…While nicotine pouches do not cause the same damage and staining as tobacco does, they still pose some potential risks on your oral health.
Examples of oral side effects of nicotine pouches that some users report include dry mouth, gum irritation and sore mouth. This is not to mean you will experience these side effects when using nicotine pouches, but it is important to monitor your oral health when using them.
Potential for misuse
Like most nicotine products, nicotine pouches are prone to misuse. Some users may make it a habit of consuming more pouches than is necessary.
This increased nicotine usage can lead to a higher risk of addiction and other health issues.
Costs
Nicotine pouches may be cheaper compared to cigarettes in many regions today, but that doesn’t make them a low-cost pastime either.
The cost of using nicotine pouches can rack up over time, more so if you are a regular user. As such, it doesn’t hurt to evaluate the financial side of things if you are a nicotine pouch consumer.
It totally makes sense if you’re using nicotine pouches as a smoking alternative considering the health effects posed by tobacco cigarettes, but still you need to consider the effect on your wallet.
Conclusion
Nicotine pouches are a great way to enjoy nicotine without the drawbacks associated with smoking. The fact that they provide a tobacco-free and smokeless alternative to traditional nicotine products has made them a go-to choice for a growing number of modern-day nicotine users.
Nicotine pouches have a host of other benefits which have seen them become very popular in the UK and beyond. These include decreased health risks, convenience and the ability to use discreetly. Available in multiple flavours and nicotine strengths, pouches also cater to different needs and preferences, ensuring there is something for everyone.
But they are not without their downsides, nicotine pouches. The risk of nicotine addiction, potential health risks, associated costs and risk of misuse are worth factoring in.
If you are considering nicotine pouches, ultimately the decision rests with you, but it is important to weigh the pros and cons in order to make a more informed decision.
All in all, however, nicotine pouches are a viable option for those looking for an alternative nicotine product to regular cigarettes, vapes or smokeless tobacco products.
At AQUAVAPE, we stock all the major nicotine pouch brands at competitive prices, and then some!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are nicotine pouches used for?
Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product in the market that provides an alternative to traditional nicotine products such as cigarettes, vapes, NRT and smokeless tobacco.
While not approved by major health bodies, nicotine pouches are generally considered a safer alternative to smoking. You can also use them as a nicotine cessation tool if quitting nicotine is the goal.
They facilitate this by providing users with multiple nicotine strengths to choose from, which you can use to gradually work down your nicotine consumption over time until such a point that you are able to become completely nicotine free.
What are the side effects of nicotine pouches?
Nicotine pouches are famed for their lack of tobacco, a product that is associated with multiple health risks, especially when subjected to combustion. However, that doesn’t mean pouches are completely risk-free.
In terms of side effects, some common risks associated with nicotine pouches include gum irritation, sore mouth, gastrointestinal upset and dental issues such as tooth decay and gum recession.
How harmful are nicotine pouches?
Nicotine pouches haven’t been around long enough to properly establish their long-term effects on health.
However, due to their nicotine content, it is believed continued use of nicotine pouches can cause high blood pressure and increased heart rate. This in turn can potentially lead to heart attacks and problems related to the cardiovascular system, including a heightened risk of developing heart disease and hypertension.
Prolonged nicotine usage may also hamper the normal functioning of the respiratory, reproductive and nervous systems.
Can you reuse nicotine pouches?
No, it is not advisable to reuse nicotine pouches. These are meant to be single-use products which should be discarded after use.
Some users may find it wasteful to dispose of pouches they’ve only used for a few minutes. But while these might still retain nicotine content and flavour, you don’t want to consume an unhygienic product. If you find yourself on this thinking trajectory, you might want to consider purchasing lower strength nicotine pouches.
Are nicotine pouches better than vaping?
If you are looking for a “smoke-free” or vapour-less nicotine product, yes, nicotine pouches are better in that regard. Especially when you consider they are safer compared to chewing tobacco.
However, the answer to whether nicotine pouches are better than vaping is subjective as some people prefer vaping over nicotine pouches or use of smokeless tobacco products.
