Nicotine Pouches: Definition, History, Components, Statistics and Use

Nicotine in nicotine pouches was first extracted from tobacco. Tobacco has been used in different ways for hundreds of years. For example, it has been used as a medicament, recreational activity, means for bartering, psychedelic. Tobacco has had a great influence on the economic and social changes in history.  Scientists discovered its dangers to health after centuries of consuming tobacco.Because of tobacco´s huge popularity healthier replacements were being looked for. In 2008 Niconovum registered the first nicotine pouch product as a medicinal nicotine replacement product (Zonnic) with 2 mg of nicotine.

A nicotine pouch is a tobacco free, soft and typically white pouch. The properties of being spit-free and tobacco-free may make oral nicotine pouches attractive alternatives to smokeless (smoke-free) tobacco products.  

Nicotine pouches are likely to be significantly less harmful than continued combustible cigarette smoking because they:

• Are tobacco leaf free and do not require tobacco combustion to release nicotine.
• There is no inhalation of nicotine rather the nicotine is delivered through the gum, that means that lung-related toxicity and disease risks are avoided.
• Due to there being no smoke there is no secondhand smoking.

People prefer nicotine pouches for the following reasons:

• Less harmful than cigarettes.
• Less harmful to people around me.
• Helps to cut back on smoking.
• Can be used everywhere.

The need to be tobacco free nicotine products was a general issue all over the world. Nicotine pouches market expanded from Sweden to Europe and then to the rest of the world quickly. Since it is such a new product, its legislation and market options have not yet caught up in a lot of countries. In 2016 nicotine pouches entered the USA market. The popularity of nicotine pouches has only been increasing. Since COVID-19 epidemic online sales for nicotine pouches have shot up. For example, a website in the USA cited a 250% increase in the sales of nicotine pouches between January-June 2020 period.

What are Nicotine Pouches?

A nicotine pouch is a smokeless tobacco free product that contains nicotine. Nicotine pouches are in a discreet plastic tin. Nicotine pouches contain nicotine, flavorings, sweeteners, water and plant-based fibers. Nicotine pouch contains 0 to 60 mg of nicotine. Nicotine pouch’s appearance is similar to the snus but typically the nicotine pouch is white and the snus has a slight brown tone. The nicotine pouch is placed discreetly under the lip, nicotine is slowly released within minutes. The pouches have a flavored long-lasting effect.   

How are nicotine pouches absorbed?

Nicotine pouches are absorbed when you place a pouch between the lip and the gum. Nicotine is released into the bloodstream via the gum lining (oral mucosa). It has been registered that the majority of the nicotine absorption happens in the first ten minutes after placing the nicotine pouch under your lip. But the body continues to absorb the nicotine during the whole time it is in the  mouth. Nicotine remains lingering in your bloodstream even after removing the product. This is why it is recommended to use each nicotine pouch for approximately 20 minutes, so it could limit the nicotine absorption. 

How much of a nicotine pouch is absorbed?

Surprisingly only about 10-20% of the nicotine is absorbed from the pouch. That means that although you use the nicotine pouch with 10 mg nicotine you actually absorb 1-2 mg of nicotine. For comparison 10 mg of nicotine is absorbed from smoking one cigarette (by both inhaling and absorbing into the body). Keeping that in mind you can precisely control your nicotine consumption.  

How Long Does a Nicotine Pouch Last?

Different nicotine pouch companies produce products that differ in taste and strength. Nicotine pouches usually last longer than other nicotine-based products. Duration is influenced by several different factors such as daily usage  and portion amount.  Some people need to consume more nicotine in order to get the same effect as others get with a lesser amount of nicotine. On average with most brands, a single nicotine pouch will last for around 20 to 60 minutes. 

What does a Nicotine Pouch Feel Like? 

Once you have put a nicotine pouch under your lip, within seconds you will feel a warm tingling sensation. It feels strange in the beginning but then you will get used to it. It’s a sign that the pouch is working and nicotine is being released. Because there are different flavored nicotine pouches with different strength then the feeling will be slightly different with different products. For example, the nicotine pouch containing mint can feel slightly cold. 

Who developed the Nicotine Pouches?

The first pouch product was developed by a small company named Niconovum. That company was later bought and now belongs to British American Tobacco.

When were nicotine pouches invented?

In early 2000s a small startup company Niconovum developed the first pouch product. In 2008 this company registered the product as a medicinal nicotine replacement product (Zonnic) with 2 mg of nicotine. Niconovum was bought by RJ Reynolds (now British American Tobacco) in 2009. From there on different tobacco companies became active in the pouch category. Ever since then new products are being created constantly due to the growing demand from the market.

What is the purpose of nicotine pouches?

The purpose of nicotine pouches is to enjoy the steady release of nicotine into the body without the harmful effects that come from tobacco consumption. The nicotine pouch is also discreet and can be used everywhere. 

What are the Ingredients of Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches consist of nicotine, stabilizers, fillers, flavorings and sweeteners. The amount and relation between ingredients differ in individual products. The exact ingredients depend on the company, strength and flavor. 

1.Nicotine

Nicotine salt that is extracted from tobacco leaves delivers nicotine satisfaction. Nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream via the oral mucosa and is then transferred to the brain’s reward. system Nicotine has both a sedative and a stimulating effect. Read more about what is nicotine is.

2. Stabilizers

Stabilizers are plant-based food fibers used to maintain pouch consistency. Vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol are most commonly used, which are completely safe for consumption. These stabilizers help to maintain moisture levels and provide a base for flavor.

3. Fillers

Fillers are used to add bulk to nicotine pouches so they would be comfortable and easy to use. Usually gum or plant-based fillers are used, these are also completely safe for consumption.

4. Flavorings

Flavorings are natural additives to add flavor to nicotine pouches. Usually, the flavors used in nicotine pouches are the same as can be found in chewing gums or sugar free drinks.

5. Sweeteners

Sweeteners are sugar substitutes used to enhance the flavors. Usually, the sweeteners used in nicotine pouches are the same as can be found in chewing gums or sugar free drinks.

6. PH adjusters

PH adjusters are minerals that help to adjust pH levels. The absorption of the nicotine in nicotine pouches is dependent on the pH of them. A high pH means higher nicotine absorption and a lower pH lesser absorption. pH adjusters determine the strength of the pouch. Usually the pH adjusters being used are just minerals that are also used in baked goods.

Do Nicotine Pouches cause harm?

Yes, Nicotine pouches can cause harm that is connected with the overall use of nicotine. The body absorbs about 10 to 20% of the nicotine in the pouch when someone uses Nicotine Pouches. For comparison, when you use a 10mg Nicotine pouch your body will absorb 1-2mg of nicotine but when you smoke a cigarette your body will absorb 10mg of nicotine. Nicotine pouches are smokeless and tobacco free so they are less harmful than other tobacco products. 

How are Nicotine Pouches Manufactured?

Firstly, nicotine salt is extracted from tobacco leaves. The nicotine core is then surrounded by flavorings and sweeteners to get the wanted aroma and taste. Also, fillers, stabilizers and pH adjusters are then added in to get the correct sizing and structure for the pouch. The mixture is inserted into the white pouch. Then the pouches are packed into tins. During the whole time the process is automated, controlled and tested to make sure that the products are up to the standards set by legislative systems. All packets are marked with batch numbers that give extra level of safety in case some batches are found to be faulty.

How to use Nicotine Pouches?

Take a single pouch from the tin and place it between the inner lip and gum. You will feel a warm, tingling sensation as the nicotine begins to release. After you are finished with the nicotine pouch, always remember to remove it from your mouth and throw it in the bin. Do not swallow it because the nicotine absorption will continue in the stomach. Swallowing the nicotine pouch can cause some side effects, especially if you do it often.

Do you put nicotine pouches in your mouth?

The nicotine pouch is put in your mouth until you are finished with it. Usually, you keep the nicotine pouch in your mouth for 30-45 minutes depending on the pouch.

Who Uses Nicotine Pouches?

The nicotine pouches are being used by people who want to consume nicotine but avoid tobacco because of its health hazards. Nicotine is both a sedative and a stimulant. Nicotine pouches are used because they are discreet and can be consumed everywhere.

Sales of these nicotine pouches have  grown rapidly; according to retail scanner data from Nielsen Company, sales of nicotine pouches in the United States increased from $642 000 in 2016, to $13.9 million in 2017, to $52 million in 2018. According to Nielsen nicotine pouch dollar sales in convenience stores were up 470% in 2020 (period ending with July).  

1.Nicotine Pouch Use among Men

Seventy-eight percent of Nicotine Pouch users are male, according to TobaccoIntelligence (2022).That shows that using nicotine pouches in the U.S. is significantly more popular among men than women. 

2. Nicotine Pouches Usage among Women

Twenty two percent of the users of nicotine pouches are female. That shows that using nicotine pouches in the U.S. is significantly more popular among men than women.

3. Nicotine Pouches Usage among Teens

 1.9 percent (520 330) of U.S. middle and high school students had used nicotine pouches  according to Gentzke, Wang, Cornelius et al research in 2021. 0.8% (219 355) of U.S middle and high school students reported current (past 30 days) use of nicotine pouches (2021).

4. Nicotine Pouches Usage among the Elderly

 Nicotine pouch usage among elderly was about 7% (age group of 55 and above), according to Tobacco Intelligence (2022). That was 3% more popular among elderly than in the UK. Since it is a relatively new product it can be concluded that the elderly in the U.S. are more willing to go along with the change of habits when it comes to consuming nicotine.

What are the Health Effects of Nicotine Pouches?

Using nicotine pouches has both possible health benefits and negative side-effects. Positive health benefits are cognitive enhancement (focus mind, sharpen mind), reaction time quickens (you react quicker), weight loss (makes you less hungry). Negative side-effects are irritation of the gums (gums become more sensitive), hiccups, nausea. Read more about the health effects of nicotine pouches.

What are the Benefits of using Nicotine Pouches?

The possible benefits of nicotine pouches are:

• Cognitive enhancement: nicotine can enhance focus, attention, alertness, information processing speed and sharpen the mind.
• Quicken reaction time: nicotine helps you to make decisions and act accordingly faster.
• Weight loss: nicotine is an appetite suppressant. The stimulative properties of nicotine can increase your resting metabolic rate which means you burn more calories while you rest.
• Prevents some illnesses: nicotine has been found to potentially combat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Read more about the benefits of using nicotine pouches.

What are the Side-effects of Nicotine Pouches?

Side-effects of nicotine pouches are:

• Irritation of the gums: gums become more sensitive and, in some cases, there might be inflammation
• Sore mouth: mouth becomes painful and, in some cases, there might be inflammation
• Hiccups
• Nausea  
• Nicotine addiction 

Read more about the side effects of nicotine pouches.

Do Nicotine Pouches Affect the Mood of the Person?

Yes, Nicotine pouch is both a stimulant and a sedative. In the first minutes of using nicotine pouches the body will be flooded with dopamine. That will give the body the nicotine buzz that will improve your mood.

Does Nicotine Pouch cause addiction?

Yes, Nicotine pouches cause addiction because nicotine is an addictive substance. Nicotine is a psychoactive drug that causes physical and psychological dependence. 

Does Nicotine Pouch Cause Cancer?

No, Nicotine pouches do not cause cancer.Nicotine usage has been thoroughly researched by scientists. The result has been that nicotine does not cause cancer. Smoking tobacco is directly linked to causing cancer. Replacing smoking with nicotine pouches is the healthier choice.

Does Nicotine Pouch Break Your Fast?

No, Nicotine pouch does not break your fast since you do swallow it. But according to some Islamic religious leader’s feedback it is not allowed during religious fasting because when it is placed in the mouth it dissolves a bit and some particles of it might enter the stomach with the saliva.

Does Nicotine Pouch cause Hair loss?

No, Nicotine does not cause hair loss but helps to create an environment that supports other hair loss factors. Using nicotine causes the blood pressure to rise and constricts the blood vessels. That can mean that the delivery of nutrients and oxygen decreases to non-essential body parts like hair.  People are able to increase their oxygen levels by meditating or taking deep breaths.

What are the Statistics for Usage of Nicotine Pouches?

Listed below are some of The Statistics for Nicotine Pouches Usage:

• There was a 250% increase in the online sales of nicotine pouches between January-June 2020 period (U.S).
• Pouch dollar sales in convenience stores were up 470% in 2020 (period ending with July), according to Nielsen.
• More than 2 in every 100 (2.3%) adults aged 18 or older reported current use of smokeless tobacco products. This represents 5.7 million adults. Nearly 5 in every 100 (4.5%) men currently used smokeless tobacco.Less than 1 in every 100 (0.3%) women currently used smokeless tobacco. (2020)
• Among racial/ethnic groups, Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native adults had the highest prevalence of smokeless tobacco use. Nearly 7 of every 100 (6.8%) non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native adults currently use smokeless tobacco.
• U.S. nicotine pouch sales have grown 300 times in five years (2021, Journal of the American Medical Association)
• People who used only smokeless tobacco were less likely to try to quit than people who only smoked cigarettes.

What are the most Popular Nicotine Pouch Brands?

The most popular Nicotine Pouch brands in the U.S.  (June 2020) are ZYN 78.7%, followed by on! (10.0%), VELO (7.6%), Rogue (2.4%), and DRYFT (1.3%). The most popular nicotine pouch flavors in the U.S (June 2020) are mint, wintergreen and spearmint covering about 70% of the market. Read more about the best nicotine pouches.

What are the Available Flavors of Nicotine Pouches?

The available flavors of nicotine pouches are:

• Coffee
• Mango
• Cinnamon
• Honey lemon
• Citrus
• Cherry
• Black cherry
• Different mint and menthol flavors
• New varieties are adding constantly

Are Flavors of Nicotine Pouches Organic?

Yes, some of The flavorings of nicotine pouches are likely to be organic. However, nicotine produced in the pouches are synthetic.

Are Nicotine Pouches regulated by the Food and Drug Administration?

Yes, Nicotine pouches are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states an age restriction, that the nicotine warning must  be on the packaging and does the pre-market assessment. 

Are Nicotine Pouches Legal in Germany?

No, nicotine pouches are not legally sold in Germany, at the moment. 

What are the Daily Consumption Limits for Nicotine Pouches?

The average time for consumption for one pouch is 25-45 minutes. Just remember to dispose of the pouch after using it (do not swallow it).  If you want to limit your nicotine intake then 20 minutes is the recommended time. There is no limit given to how many pouches you can consume in a day. Lethal level of nicotine in the textbooks is 50-60 mg if an adult weighs 150 pounds (68 kg) to consume that amount with nicotine pouches that would mean consuming 80-100 nicotine pouches (strength 6mg).  It depends on the person’s habits, weight, age, health etc. How many pouches you should consume varies from person to person. The best answer here would be to listen to your body. Because when you consume too much nicotine you may have trouble sleeping, feel nauseous. If you notice these issues, you should limit your usage of nicotine pouches.  

What is the Legal Status of Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches have different legal status around the world, depending on how they are defined and classified, and in a lot of countries no regulations are in place.

• Europe – EU: While there is an EU-wide ban on tobacco snus, nicotine pouches are not covered by current tobacco product regulations. The Tobacco Products Directive will review this subject in the next revision. Whether the UK will introduce any regulation for nicotine pouches post-Brexit is not clear yet.
• Europe – Scandinavia: In Sweden there are currently no limitations. In Norway nicotine pouches need some tobacco in them in order to be sold there.  In Finland, nicotine pouches are sold online, not in the pharmacies nor in the retail shops. Nicotine products are classified either as over-the-counter medicines (nicotine up to 4 mg of nicotine) or as prescription medicines (more than 4 mg of nicotine). 
• Europe – Germany: Nicotine pouches are currently classified as a ‘novel food’ by the federal state authorities in Germany and are being withdrawn from the market as they exceed the acute reference dose for nicotine.
• USA: Tobacco-derived nicotine pouches are regulated as a tobacco product under existing tobacco control legislation. The regulatory authority intends to make determinations of whether to regulate synthetic nicotine pouches as a tobacco product on a case-by-case basis, considering a plethora of factors, including but not limited to, all of the product’s components, parts, ingredients, and additives, and the manufacturing processes employed to make the finished product. Tobacco products are subject to minimum age purchase requirements (21), pre-market authorizations, health warning label requirements, and advertising restrictions.  
• Australia: Australia banned (June 1991) tobacco-derived nicotine pouches under the classification of smokeless tobacco products and regulates synthetic nicotine pouches as a medicine. Synthetic nicotine pouches are regulated in accordance with Schedule four of the Poisons Standard; these products require a prescription.
• New Zealand:  Nicotine pouches are banned as a part of a Smoke Free Bill in New Zealand. The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 prohibits the importation, sale, and distribution of oral tobacco products and oral nicotine products (unless approved as medicines).
• Canada: Canada regulates both tobacco-derived and synthetic nicotine pouches in the same manner. The regulatory classification takes into consideration the nicotine concentration and type of nicotine delivery to determine if the product would be considered a prescription drug. If delivering 4 mg or less of nicotine/dose, a tobacco-free nicotine pouch would be exempt from requiring a prescription to be sold and would be regulated as a Natural Health Product (NHP) under the NHP Regulations; and if delivering more than 4 mg/dose, it would be considered a prescription drug under the Food and Drug Regulations.
• New and emerging markets:  Nicotine pouches remain unregulated in most countries, although there have been attempts to ban nicotine pouches in some fresher markets (including Russia).

Are Nicotine Pouches safer than Smoking?

Yes, Nicotine pouches are safer than smoking. Smoking tobacco is the most damaging way to consume nicotine. The biggest risk of smoking-related illnesses comes from burning tobacco and inhaling smoke that contains harmful toxicants that can cause harm to both smokers and non-smokers. Read more about nicotine pouches vs smoking.

Are Nicotine Pouches safer than Vaping?

Yes, Nicotine pouches are safer than vaping. With vaping the liquid can lead to respiratory injuries just as bronchitis. Since there is no vapor with nicotine pouches you avoid these risks to your lungs. The liquid substance inside the vape is likely to lead to respiratory issues such as bronchitis. People avoid these risks because there is no vapor in the nicotine pouches.  Read more about nicotine pouches vs vaping.

Do Nicotine Pouches help to stop smoking?

Yes, Nicotine pouch helps to quit smoking because it contains nicotine to give you both the stimulative and sedative effect without the harmful effect of tobacco. you can use nicotine pouches everywhere then you do not have to spend time in the smoking corner with smokers that may lead to relapse of smoking

Is there a Nicotine Free Nicotine Pouch?

Yes, There are nicotine free nicotine pouches, but they advertise them mostly as nicotine and tobacco free herbal pouches/snuff, for example Smokey Mountain offers various nicotine and tobacco free pouches. Read more about nicotine free nicotine pouches.

Is Snus the same as Nicotine Pouches?

Snus and nicotine pouch are not the same product. Snus contains tobacco and nicotine pouches are tobacco free. Due to the difference in ingredients the reaction to the product also differs. Nicotine pouches are easier to store than snus.

What is the difference between a Nicotine Pouch and Snus?

The difference between nicotine pouch and snus is that the nicotine pouch contains no tobacco while the snus contains tobacco. That fact causes other differences that are connected to it. One of the main differences that stems from tobacco is the taste. The lack of tobacco gives the nicotine pouch a different kind of flavor experience. Because there is no tobacco in the nicotine pouches then they do not stain teeth in a way that products which contain tobacco do. There is also a difference in the number of ingredients. The nicotine pouches contain more ingredients than the snus. Nicotine pouches do not need to be refrigerated to preserve their moisture for freshness, snus does. Read more: what is snus.

What are the Alternatives to Nicotine Pouches?

The alternatives to nicotine pouches are:

Snus: contains tobacco 
Vaping: more harmful for health and cannot be done everywhere
Smoking: more harmful for health and cannot be done everywhere
Nicotine patches: needs to be sticked on the body, nicotine free
Nicotine gum: can chew everywhere, nicotine free

What are the differences between Nicotine Pouches and Smoking?

Nicotine pouches are likely to be significantly less harmful than smoking because they:

• Are tobacco leaf free and do not require tobacco combustion to release nicotine.
• There is no inhalation of nicotine rather the nicotine is delivered through the gum, that means that lung-related toxicity and disease risks are avoided.
• Due to there being no smoke there is no secondhand smoking.

Read more about nicotine pouches vs smoking.

What are the differences between Nicotine Pouches and Vaping?

• Nicotine pouches can be used everywhere while vaping is not allowed in a lot of places.
• Using nicotine pouches does not bother anyone next to you while vaping smoke and scent can be unpleasant for others around you.
• Using vape can cause “vaping tongue”. This means you feel an unpleasant sensation of dry mouth which changes your ability to taste the e-liquid flavors. Using nicotine pouches does not cause dry mouth.

Read more about nicotine pouches vs vaping.