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Curious about nicotine pouches but not sure where to start? Let’s break down everything you need to know about nic pouches to help you decide if they’re right for you.
You might’ve seen a display of stout plastic tubs on the counter at your local vape shop or off-license. For adult nicotine consumers, nicotine pouches offer a completely tobacco-free and smoke-free nicotine product that serves as an excellent alternative to traditional tobacco products, snus, and even vaping—particularly when it’s not convenient to smoke or vape, like on public transport, on flights, and in public indoor spaces.
Placed between your upper lip and gum, these pouches can help satisfy nicotine cravings and, unlike cigarettes, they contain absolutely no tobacco. They’re a great choice as a smoking cessation aid and are popular in the US and Scandinavian countries—in fact, they’re credited as having helped Sweden almost reach its smoke-free goal. Nic pouches have only recently entered the UK market, but their popularity is growing fast.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about nicotine pouches to help get you started!
What are Nicotine Pouches?
Nicotine pouches are a discreet, 100% tobacco-free option available in various flavours to help satisfy your nicotine cravings quickly. You may have heard them referred to as nicopods, Zynnies, “upper deckies,” lip pillows, or simply nic pouches. They’re sometimes referred to as “white snus,” though unlike traditional snus, nicotine pouches are tobacco-free.
Nicotine pouches are made with a combination of food-grade ingredients designed to help your body absorb nicotine through the mucous membrane in your gums. The nicotine in the pouches is absorbed more readily than it is through vaping, so you should take care when choosing your nicotine strength.
Nicotine pouches are great for situations where you wouldn’t be able to smoke or vape, like when you’re at work, on a plane, or during your commute. They’re super portable and convenient for on-the-go use and are among the most discreet nicotine products available. While using one, they’re practically invisible!
While these pouches contain no tobacco, they provide nicotine to help curb any side effects you’d experience from quitting smoking. Like e-cigarettes and all other nicotine products, nic pouches aren’t meant for non-smokers, and we don’t recommend them for anyone who isn’t trying to quit or cut down their nicotine consumption.
What are nic pouches made of?
The ingredients inside nicotine pouches are no mystery—in fact, they’ll all be listed plain as day on the packaging. While ingredients will vary across different brands, ranges, and flavours, all nicotine pouches have a few things in common.
Each individual pouch is encased in a plant-based outer weave made of cellulose fibres. This weave is porous and allows for the nicotine—extracted from the tobacco plant and infused in cellulose granules in powder form—to permeate and be absorbed by the mucous membranes in your mouth once activated by your saliva.
Besides nicotine and cellulose, you’ll find find several other food-grade ingredients which are there to ensure that the pouches work effectively. These include pH modifiers, which allow for better nicotine absorption, flavourings, sweeteners, and a few preservatives designed to help the pouches retain their flavour and to keep them from going mouldy. Some pouches also contain water and/or salt.
While nic pouches have more ingredients than e-liquids do, it’s worth nothing that the average cigarette has thousands upon thousands of harmful ingredients, including dozens which are known to cause cancer.
Are nicotine pouches safe?
Nicotine pouches offer a tobacco alternative for smokers and vapers, made entirely without tobacco. This means they’re smoke-free and don’t cause any of the harmful effects associated with smoking cigarettes—including the harms to bystanders from second-hand smoke.
Furthermore, nic pouches have a similar list of ingredients compared to traditional smoking cessation aids like nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges.
We stock only genuine products from trusted nicotine pouch brands, which means no hidden ingredients or heavy metals. If in doubt, check with a healthcare professional before using nicotine pouches.
Who should avoid using nicotine pouches?
There are some medical reasons why one should avoid nicotine pouches, though these are the same for all nicotine products. Those with unstable heart conditions, severe hypertension, or diabetes should seek medical advice before using nicotine pouches.
What happens if you swallow a nicotine pouch?
First and foremost, you should never deliberately swallow a nicotine pouch. That being said, you’re unlikely to experience any severe effects from swallowing a single pouch. Nicotine can’t be absorbed through the lining of your gastrointestinal tract, though swallowing pouches can cause nausea and indigestion due to the size of the pouch and the flavourings and preservatives used in them.
Please always dispose of your nicotine pouches in a general waste bin—and if you’re somewhere without a rubbish bin, many nicopod brands manufacture their tubs with a lid compartment to store used pouches.
Accidents happen, but don’t make a habit of it.
How to Use Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine pouches are incredibly easy to use. For starters, only use one at a time—it’s all you’ll need. Pouches should be placed between your top lip and gum beside your front teeth, and they should naturally stay in place until you remove them. You can place them between your bottom lip and gum, but you won’t get much (or any) flavour this way.
Step 1: Place Your Pouch
Put the pouch between your gum and your top lip where it feels most comfortable.
Step 2: Let the Pouch Work
You’ll start to feel a tingling sensation, which should last for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Leave Your Pouch In
Keep your pouch in place for up to 30 minutes. Some work for up to an hour.
Step 4: Discard the Pouch
When you’re finished using it, discard your pouch in a general waste bin.
For the first 5 minutes or so, you’ll notice a tingly, hot sensation, which is a side effect of the pouch’s pH balance and strength. The tingling will go away on its own and isn’t cause for worry—though if the sensation is very unpleasant or feels too strong, you may need a lower nicotine strength, just like with vaping.
The flavour should kick in shortly after you put the pouch in, and the pouch will slowly release nicotine and flavour over its lifespan (which is usually 30 minutes to an hour depending on the brand).
You can use a fresh nicotine pouch as often as you feel that you need to in order to combat nicotine cravings, though if you find you’re going through a lot of pouches in a day, you may want to consider opting for strong nicotine pouches. Your personal nicotine requirements will vary based on your tolerance level and how many cigarettes you’d typically smoke per day.
How long should you leave a nicotine pouch in?
You should leave your nicotine pouches in your mouth for about 30 minutes, though some manufacturers produce longer-acting pouches which can be left in for up to an hour.
Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations, as the lifespan of the pouch will affect how quickly or slowly the nicotine is released. For example, a pouch with an hour-long lifespan will release nicotine much slower than a standard 30-minute pouch.
Can you re-use nicotine pouches?
No, you can’t re-use nicotine pouches, unlike teabags. Once you’ve used up a nicotine pouch, there won’t be any nicotine left in it, so there’s no use trying to re-use it.
Why do nicotine pouches tingle?
When you first start out with nicotine pouches, you’ll notice a tingling sensation on your gums. This indicates that the nicotine is being absorbed through the mucous membrane in your mouth. This sensation should last about 5 minutes. Manufacturers utilise those aforementioned pH modifiers to ensure that the tingle isn’t too strong while also allowing for effective nicotine absorption.
As is the case in vaping, manufacturers have to tread a fine line to ensure that their pouches have a high enough pH level for the nicotine to be absorbed, but not so high as to create an unpleasant burning sensation.
Higher nicotine strengths lead to a much stronger tingle, so if you find that the sensation is really unpleasant or feels uncomfortable, you should try a lower nicotine strength.
How to Choose Nicotine Pouches
The nicotine pouches you choose should provide you with a satisfying nicotine experience without being unpleasant or overwhelming. So, it’s really important to ensure you choose the right nicotine strength and flavours to suit your needs.
Nicotine Strengths
First and foremost, if you’re a regular vaper, don’t assume that the strength of your e-cigarettes corresponds to the strength you need in your nicotine pouches. Because the nicotine in pouches is more readily absorbed than it is through vaping, you’ll get much more nicotine from 20mg pouches than you would from 20mg nic salt e-liquids.
For those new to pouches, we recommend starting with a lower nicotine strength—like 6mg per pouch—and working your way upward as needed. Strong nicotine pouches will feel very harsh and may be unpleasant for beginners. This may require a bit of trial and error, but starting with a lower strength will help negate some of the potential side effects such as headaches and nausea.
Nicotine Per Pouch vs. Per Gram
Nicotine pouches are fairly new, and because they’re not regulated, there’s little consensus among manufacturers regarding how they advertise their nic strengths.
Their strengths may be advertised in one of two ways: per pouch (mg) or per gram (mg/g). It’s important to understand the strength you’re buying to ensure you’re not getting too much or too little per pouch.
In nicotine pouches, strength can be determined per gram and per pouch, though you’ll need to know the weight of the pouches to do the maths yourself. For example, if you have a tub of pouches each weighing 0.5g and the strength of the tub is 20mg/g, this means that each pouch has 10mg of nicotine.
Sometimes, the numbers are a bit confusing, and some manufacturers will only provide the strength per pouch. This may be more helpful than the manufacturers who only provide the amount of nicotine per gram—though if you know the weight of each pouch, you can multiply that by the nic strength to find out how much is in each pouch!
Choosing the Right Flavour
There are an array of flavours available to suit all tastes, though the most popular flavour profiles are mint/menthol, fruit, and spicy. Taste is incredibly subjective, and favourites will vary from user to user.
If you want something refreshing and unobtrusive, opt for a mint or fruit variety. You can choose from a variety of mint flavours—including peppermint and spearmint—and an array of fruits, including berries and tropical fruits.
If you fancy something a little more exotic, or if you enjoy the tingle and want it to last a little longer, why not try a spicy one, like the Velo Jalapeno Lime?
Nicotine Pouch Brands
Pouches emerged from Sweden, the snus capital of the world, after a raft of measures were introduced to curb the use of traditional tobacco in the country. However, traditional snus contains tobacco, and the country was looking for a tobacco-free alternative (while users were eager to avoid excessive taxation). Thus, nic pouches were born, making Sweden the nicopod capital of the world—exporting more brands and flavours than any other country.
You’ll find an array of nicotine pouches from Sweden, Denmark, Poland, and Europe in general, with some even manufactured here in the UK. Even brands like Lost Mary Airplane Mode, while designed by Lost Mary in China, have been manufactured in Sweden. Many strong nicotine pouches come from Nordic countries where the use of snus and nicopods is more prevalent.
Some of the most popular brands in the UK include Velo, Zyn, Nordic Spirit, and Elf Bar Tacja, though new brands are entering the UK market as pouches become more popular.
Pros & Cons of Nic Pouches
Nicotine pouches offer a fast, discreet, and reliable nicotine experience, aiding with nicotine consumption at times when you wouldn’t be able to vape or smoke. Let’s break down some of the pros and cons of using pouches.
Benefits of Nicotine Pouches
Easy to Use
Pouches are easier than vaping and, arguably, even easier than smoking, since you don’t need any equipment or know-how. Simply pop in a pouch and let it sit for half an hour—no lighter required.
Nicotine Pouches are Discreet
It doesn’t matter if you’re on a plane or on a train, in a car or at a bar—nicotine pouches can be used anywhere, especially places where you wouldn’t be able to smoke or vape.
They’re Cheap
Without the added cost of hardware and replaceable parts (as is the case with vaping) or the extortionate price of tobacco, nicotine pouches are one of the cheapest options for smokers.
Downsides to Nicotine Pouches
They’re Unregulated
Unlike vapes, e-liquids, and even tobacco, nicotine pouches aren’t regulated by law. While we, of course, only stock products from reputable brands, the same can’t be said for every retailer.
Fewer Options
Nicotine pouches aren’t as prevalent as vapes are, which means there are fewer flavours and strength options available. We hope to see more variety as they become more popular.
They Don’t Work Fast
Whereas nic salts in vaping start to work in seconds, pouches can take up to half an hour to produce their full effect. If you need a quick nic fix, nicotine pouches aren’t the best option.
Summary
Hopefully now you should be better equipped to understand how nicotine pouches work, what’s in them, and whether or not they’re the right choice for you.
If you’re ready to start your journey, we stock a wide array of pouches from brands around the world, including strong nicotine pouches from Scandinavia and low-strength pouches from brands like Lost Mary Airplane Mode and Velo.
We’re here to help, so if you have any questions or need help finding the right pouches for you, reach out and contact our support for personalised recommendations.
