Coated vs. Uncoated Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum is a smokeless nicotine product used to help you quit smoking. To cater to various users, it’s available in several different flavors and strengths. However, one more distinction needs to be accounted for when you’re looking for nicotine gum—coated or uncoated.

In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between coated vs. uncoated nicotine gum to help you choose the best option for you.

What’s the Difference Between Coated and Uncoated Nicotine Gum?

Coated and uncoated nicotine gum work the same way. They’re both smokeless products designed to help you quit smoking by delivering a controlled nicotine dose without cigarettes or vapes. The key difference is that coated gum has a smooth outer layer—the coating—while uncoated gum doesn’t.

Coated nicotine gum has a smooth outer layer made from a thin film that includes extra flavoring and stabilizers. This changes the texture and experience when chewing. 

There are three factors make coated nicotine gum distinct from its uncoated counterpart:

1. Flavor intensity
2. Texture
3. Nicotine delivery speed

Flavor Intensity

Nicotine gum doesn’t need to hide the bitterness of tobacco since it’s tobacco-free, but nicotine on its own still has a mildly bitter taste that some people find off-putting. To mask this, many nicotine gum brands offer a variety of flavors, ranging from minty and fresh to fruity and sweet.

Coated nicotine gum has an extra layer of flavoring on the outside, giving it a more intense flavor than uncoated ones, especially early on. That coating also helps the flavor last a bit longer. 

Texture

The base ingredients in nicotine gum are similar to regular gum, aside from nicotine and substances that enhance stability and delivery. That said, the texture of nicotine gum differs depending on whether it’s coated or uncoated.

When you first start chewing it, uncoated nicotine gum feels denser and firmer, which some users have described as almost clay-like. Coated gum is softer and has a smoother finish, with the coating giving it a crunchy texture early on.

Nicotine Delivery Speed

Nicotine gum gradually releases nicotine for approximately 30 minutes. The strength of the gum doesn’t significantly affect how fast the nicotine is delivered, so a stronger piece of gum won’t necessarily last longer or hit faster.

What does make a difference is whether the gum is coated or uncoated. Coated gum takes a bit longer to kick in because the outer layer has to break down first. Uncoated gum starts working faster, giving you that nicotine boost more quickly.

Source: cottonbro studio

Uncoated vs. Coated Nicotine Gum—Which Is Better?

It’s difficult to say which is better—coated or uncoated nicotine gum—since the choice depends on individual user preferences and the reason for using the gum.

If you like tougher gum and nicotine flavor, go with uncoated. Coated gum works better if you like a smoother experience and don’t want to taste nicotine.

Although the two types of gum offer different experiences, flavor- and texture-wise, they share one key benefit—both deliver nicotine slowly enough to curb cravings without raising your nicotine levels high enough to give you a buzz.

They carry similar health risks, too.

The Health Risks of Nicotine Gum

Although nicotine gum is 100% tobacco-free, its nicotine content means it’s not completely risk-free. Most of the health risks of chewing nicotine gum are related to gastrointestinal and oral health and include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Acid reflux
• Hiccups
• Mouth and throat irritation
• Dental issues
• Gum disease

Excessive nicotine gum use can also lead to muscle issues, such as jaw muscle fatigue, stiffness, or soreness. However, these side effects usually go away after rest.

Nicotine Pouches—A More Convenient Alternative

Similarly to nicotine gum, nicotine pouches are a smokeless oral nicotine product. They’re small white pouches that deliver nicotine through your mouth over roughly 30 minutes.

When compared to nicotine gum, pouches are subtler and more convenient. Instead of having to deal with the park-and-chew method and breaking the gum, all you have to do to use a nicotine pouch is:

1. Take the pouch out of its packaging
2. Place it between your upper lip and gums
3. Let it sit there for up to 30 minutes
4. Remove the pouch and discard it

While they are more convenient than nicotine gum, nicotine pouches aren’t recognized as an NRT method by the FDA and shouldn’t be used if you’re trying to quit nicotine.

Source: Swenico Pouches 

How Do Nicotine Pouches Work?

Nicotine pouches work very similarly to nicotine gum. Once in your mouth, they provide a steady release of nicotine and flavor that is absorbed through the mucous membrane straight into your bloodstream. 

Unlike gum, pouches deliver nicotine in a high enough amount that you will feel a buzz. However, the onset is slow, meaning you will have to wait 5–10 minutes after you place the pouch before that happens.

Here’s what’s happening while a pouch is in your mouth:

1. Minutes 0–5: The pouch absorbs your saliva and gradually releases nicotine into your system
2. Minutes 5–10: The nicotine in your body binds to nicotinic receptors, reducing your nicotine craving
3. Minutes 10–20: The effects of nicotine become more prominent, your focus is enhanced, and you’re more alert. Your nicotine craving is nearly gone
4. Minutes 20–30: Most of the nicotine is gone from the pouch, your blood nicotine level is at its peak, and you don’t feel any cravings

Past the 30-minute mark, the pouch will lose its potency. You can take it out or leave it in a bit longer if you’re still enjoying the flavor, which usually lasts up to an hour. After that, it’s best to remove the pouch.

What Is in a Nicotine Pouch?

The primary ingredient of nicotine pouches is tobacco-free nicotine, with an added selection of food-grade ingredients often found in the food industry.

Other ingredients are brand-dependent but can generally be split into five categories:

1. Fillers: Provide pouches with bulk and make them easier to handle and keep in your mouth
2. Sweeteners: Make the pouches sweet without harming your teeth or spiking blood sugar
3. Stabilizers: Maintain consistency within pouches and prevent clumping
4. pH adjusters: Stabilize pH levels for enhanced efficiency and flavor
5. Flavorings: Provide the pouches with various flavors

The nicotine in pouches can be plant-derived or synthetic. Plant-derived nicotine is made by extracting salts from tobacco leaves and then purifying them until there’s almost no trace of tobacco. Synthetic nicotine is lab-made, and each pouch brand has a different process and formula.

Source: ZYN_Sverige

How Much Nicotine Is in Pouches vs. Gum?

Like nicotine gum, pouches also come in various strengths, catering to different tolerances and preferences. The amount of nicotine in both of these products is expressed in milligrams per unit—pouch or gum Nicotine content can also be expressed in milligrams per gram.

Most nicotine gums contain either 2 or 4 mg of nicotine, although brands like Lucy also offer a 6 mg variety. Nicotine pouches offer a much larger variety, with nicotine content ranging from 3 mg to over 45 mg per pouch. To help users understand how strong these pouches are compared to other products, they’re divided into four categories:

If you haven’t used nicotine pouches before and are looking to make the switch, you should use nicotine content as a guideline, not a rule. Pouches may work similarly to nicotine gum, but it can still take some time to adjust to them since, unlike gum, they provide a buzz. 

Source: Andrea Piacquadio

What Are the Side Effects of Nicotine Pouches?

There’s limited research showing the long-term effects of nicotine pouches on your health, but the delivery method and absence of tobacco make them one of the safest nicotine products. This doesn’t mean that they’re harmless, and misusing them or using pouches that are too strong can still lead to an uncomfortable reaction.

The most commonly reported side effects of nicotine pouches are:

• Burning gums: A tingling sensation in your gums when using pouches is normal. It’s caused by the nicotine mildly irritating the mucosa as it’s being absorbed. However, increased amounts of nicotine can lead to this irritation escalating into inflammation, making your gums burn
• Nausea: Nicotine stimulates the production of stomach acid. In increased amounts, the acid will irritate your stomach lining, leading to stomach pain and nausea
• Sore throat: When you swallow your spit with a pouch in, the nicotine will mildly irritate your throat. In high amounts, your throat can get further irritated, making it feel sore
• Dizziness: Besides acting like a stimulant, nicotine also narrows your blood vessels, raising your blood pressure. If your blood pressure goes up quickly, it might lead to headaches

As long as you’re responsible with pouches, the odds of encountering these side effects are quite low. Choosing high-quality pouches can lower the risk even more since they’re tested thoroughly to make sure you get a safer, smoother experience.

Get High-Quality Nicotine Pouches at SnusBoss

Created and run by industry experts with over 10 years of experience, SnusBoss is a reputable source of fresh, high-quality imported nicotine pouches. The products offered on the website are carefully picked for their delicious flavor and unparalleled quality.

You can find the following premium European brands on the SnusBoss site:

Buying is a simple three-step process:

1. Go to the online store
2. Select your preferred brand, flavor, and strength
3. Enter your payment and shipping information

Shopping at SnusBoss also gets you these perks:

• Free shipping on orders of $249 and up
• Competitive prices
• Regular discounts

Opt for express shipping, and you’ll receive your pouches within 2–3 business days. 

Featured image source: Karina Miranda