Nicotine Gum vs. ZYN— Which Is a More Effective Tobacco Alternative?

While they’re both designed to give you a precise dose of nicotine, ZYNs and nicotine gum differ considerably in how they are used and the overall experience they provide. Their main purpose isn’t the same, with nicotine gum being an official nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) aid, while nicopods aren’t. That’s why we’ve created an in-depth comparison of nicotine gum vs. ZYN, giving you all the facts about these two smokeless nicotine products.

Nicotine Gum vs. ZYN Pouches—Weighing Out the Pros and Cons

Source: KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA

The main function of nicotine gum is to help you quit nicotine, whereas nicotine pouches are designed to be a safer alternative to tobacco, not a cessation tool. Unlike nicopods, which are intended to be used indefinitely, nicotine gum is a form of NRT that’s supposed to be used for a limited period only.

Here are some key points to consider when choosing between ZYNs vs. nicotine gum:

1. Nicotine strength
2. Nicotine absorption rate
3. Buzz duration
4. Available flavors
5. Consumption methods
6. Product ingredients
7. Potential health risks and side effects
8. Discretion and convenience

1. ZYN Pouches vs. Nicotine Gum—Nicotine Strength

Source: freestocks.org

In the U.S., ZYN nicotine pouches are manufactured in strengths of 3 and 6 mg of nicotine per pouch, with additional options of 1.5 and 9 mg of nicotine available for purchase as imported goods. This wide range of strengths is enough to satisfy every type of smoker.

To help you make the right choice, here’s a complete overview of ZYN strengths and their recommended type of user:

Most nicotine gum products typically have 2 and 4 mg of nicotine per piece. One of the few brands that go a step further is Lucy, which offers an additional option containing 6 mg of nicotine.

Check out the list below to find out how these strengths relate to your smoking habits:

1. 2 mg per piece—Designed for smokers who are used to lighting a cigarette 30 minutes or later after waking up and tend to go through less than a pack of cigarettes a day
2. 4 mg per piece—Perfect for smokers who feel the urge to light up within 30 minutes of waking up and regularly consume more than a pack of cigarettes per day

These strengths provide enough nicotine to meet the needs of users with low to moderate nicotine tolerance. Still, they may not be strong enough for heavy tobacco users with intense cravings.

2. Nicotine Gum vs. ZYNs—Nicotine Absorption Rate

ZYN nicopods use nicotine salts as their active ingredient. This variant provides faster and more efficient nicotine absorption than the freebase nicotine that many other brands use in their products.

Like most nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, including nicotine lozenges and tablets, nicotine gum contains a special compound called nicotine polacrilex. The mixture of ion exchange resin and nicotine increases its bioavailability up to 80%, resulting in a slightly higher nicotine absorption rate than ZYN pouches.

Check out the table below to see how the actual strengths of these products compare once you factor in the differences in nicotine absorption:

3. Nicotine Gum vs. ZYN Pouches—Buzz Duration

Source: William Warby

Most nicotine gum manufacturers claim that their products deliver nicotine and flavor for 30 minutes. Still, once you start chewing, you’ll find that most nicotine gum products tend to last considerably shorter—giving you increased focus and alleviating your cravings for 10 to 15 minutes per piece.

ZYN nicopods offer a considerably longer experience, providing a steady buzz that lasts between 30–40 minutes. One ZYN nicopod typically delivers the same effect as using up to three pieces of nicotine gum.

4. ZYNs vs. Nicotine Gum—Available Flavors

Source: Andrea Piacquadio

Nicotine gum and ZYNs offer a similar experience when it comes to flavor variety, with several delectable minty, fruity, and spicy options to choose from.

These are the most popular nicotine gum and ZYN flavors in the U.S.:

Despite these similar offerings, ZYN features several additional flavors designed for non-U.S. markets, which you can also get in the States from reputable vendors like SnusBoss, including:

• ZYN Icy Blackcurrant
• ZYN Black Cherry
• ZYN Apple Mint
• ZYN Lemon Spritz
• ZYN Cucumber Lime
• ZYN Exotic Mango
• ZYN Violet Licorice
• ZYN Bellini
• ZYN Espressino
• ZYN Gold
• ZYN Original

5. Nicotine Gum vs. ZYNs—Consumption Methods

Nicotine gum and ZYN are designed for oral use. They deliver nicotine through your oral mucosa without smoke, vapor, or spitting. Although the nicotine delivery method is similar, the products are consumed differently.

Here’s how to take nicotine gum properly:

1. Pop a single piece of nicotine gum in your mouth and chew it for 10–15 seconds until it softens and you feel a slight burning sensation
2. Stop chewing the gum and park it between your teeth and cheek, allowing the released nicotine to get absorbed into your bloodstream
3. When the burning sensation fades, repeat the whole process while alternating sides in your mouth for up to 30 minutes or until the flavor is gone

ZYN nicotine pouches are a next-generation nicotine product designed for simplicity and ease of use. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using them:

1. Take a ZYN nicopod and place it between your gums and upper lip
2. Let the pouch rest for up to 30 minutes, depending on the intensity of your cravings. Don’t chew, suck, or swallow the pouch
3. Once you feel satisfied, remove the pouch and discard it responsibly, keeping it out of reach of children or pets

6. ZYN vs. Nicotine Gum—Product Ingredients

The table below provides more information about the ingredients used in ZYN and nicotine gum:

7. Nicotine Gum vs. ZYN Pouches—Potential Side Effects

Source: Kaboompics.com

Nicotine pouches and gum are among the safest oral nicotine products, free from tobacco’s dangerous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and tobacco-specific nitrosamines. Since they only use pharmaceutical nicotine, they don’t carry the same health risks as traditional tobacco products like cigarettes, dip, chewing tobacco, and regular snus.

Albeit rarely, some nicotine gum users may experience the following side effects:

• Irritation of mouth and throat
• Jaw discomfort
• Increased salivation
• Coughing
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Weight increase
• Flatulence
• Disturbed sleep

Since they share a similar makeup, ZYN nicotine pouches have a similar low-risk profile as nicotine gum. If consumed excessively, ZYN nicopods may cause several side effects, including:

• Gum irritation
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Elevated heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Heartburn
• Hiccups

Fortunately, these unwanted reactions are easily manageable and avoidable with proper and responsible use. If you’re new to ZYN nicopods, start with mild products until you find the strength that works best for you.

8. Nicotine Gum vs. ZYNs—Discretion and Convenience

Unlike cigarettes and vapes, both ZYNs and nicotine gum are designed to be discreet and convenient without releasing toxic smoke or vapor into the environment. You can freely use them in public places where smoking and vaping are forbidden. 

If you’re looking for ultimate discretion, ZYN nicotine pouches offer an unparalleled experience. These nicopods come in compact sizes, making them unnoticeable to those around you.

Nicotine gum is slightly less discreet because it requires chewing to release flavor and nicotine. While this can be seen as an advantage, offering a convenient way to satisfy your oral fixation, this type of behavior may be seen as disrespectful in certain situations, especially when you don’t want to draw attention.

Nicotine Gum vs. ZYN—Which One Should You Choose

Source: Leeloo The First

Choosing between ZYN and nicotine gum depends on what you want to accomplish. If you plan to quit tobacco and nicotine altogether, nicotine gum is an excellent solution to overcome dependence without intense and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. 

In case you want to avoid tobacco but keep enjoying nicotine in one of the safest ways available on the market, nicotine pouches are a perfect choice because they last longer, come in more flavors, and offer various strengths that cater to every type of user.

SnusBoss—The Best Place To Get Premium EU-Made ZYN Pouches

SnusBoss is a reputable online vendor of premium nicotine pouches. It’s run by a team of experts with more than a decade of experience in distributing and selling the highest-quality nicotine products. The store offers a wide selection of EU-made ZYN nicopods and some of the most popular ZYN alternatives. These nicopods deliver a better experience than most domestic products, giving you richer flavors, more moisture, and a stronger kick that will keep you buzzed longer.

The FDA’s 2016 decision to introduce tighter restrictions on nicotine pouches and treat them as tobacco products negatively impacted their development. Nicotine pouch manufacturers in the U.S. have been required to undergo long and complicated pre-marketing procedures. Since EU nicotine pouch manufacturers weren’t affected by this decision, they were able to keep improving their nicopods.

To order your favorite ZYNs from SnusBoss, follow these steps:

1. Visit the online shop
2. Select your desired brand, strength, and flavor
3. Enter your shipping and billing info

You can also explore other top nicotine pouch brands available on SnusBoss:

Speed up your delivery during checkout by choosing express shipping and get your order in two to three business days. Enjoy free shipping for all orders over $249.

Featured image source: SnusBoss