What are Nicotine Pouches?
Nicotine pouches are a smoke-free alternative to continued smoking. An adult user should use a pouch by placing it in the mouth for a nicotine experience. Unlike oral tobacco products, which deliver nicotine through the inclusion of tobacco leaves, nicotine pouches are tobacco-free. Of course, the best choice any adult smoker can make is to stop tobacco and nicotine use altogether.
How to Use Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine pouches are consumed orally by placing one pouch at a time in the mouth for a nicotine experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide with further details on how to use nicotine pouches:
• Open the can: nicotine pouches are usually packaged in a can container. Often, these cans are opened by breaking a seal before twisting the lid off - but follow manufacturer guidance for the correct instructions.
• Place the nicotine pouch in your mouth: these pouches are typically placed under the top lip for a nicotine experience.
• Keep the pouch in: when in place, the pouch should release flavour and nicotine.
• Dispose of the used pouch: once you’ve finished your nicotine experience, you should take it out of your mouth and dispose of the pouch responsibly - following manufacturer guidance on how to do this. Nicotine pouches are typically disposed of in general waste.
How Do Nicotine Pouches Work?
When placed in the mouth, a nicotine pouch will release flavour and nicotine into the gums. The oral mucosa (part of your gum) absorbs these flavours and nicotine. Nicotine pouches haven’t been around long in the UK but have quickly become popular in Scandinavia, and elsewhere, because they are a simple and convenient smoke-free and tobacco leaf-free way to experience nicotine.
Can I Chew on a Nicotine Pouch?
You should not chew or swallow a pouch. Chewing could increase the risk of breaking the pouch, causing it to release its contents into your mouth. If you ingest a pouch, contact a medical professional immediately.
How Long Do Nicotine Pouches Last?
A nicotine pouch can deliver nicotine for up to half an hour, although the exact duration may vary depending on the product you’re using.
What is in a Nicotine Pouch?
Nicotine pouches commonly contain nicotine salts extracted from tobacco leaves or synthetic nicotine. The pouches also usually contain plant-based fibres (used to maintain pouch consistency), sweeteners and flavourings.
Nicotine Pouch Strengths
Nicotine pouches come in a variety of different strengths, including 3mg, 6mg and 11mg. Low strength nicotine pouches are often advised for those who are new to this product, allowing you to test the experience. Manufacturers usually categorise nicotine concentration under terms such as mild, medium, strong and extra strong.
Why Switch to Nicotine Pouches?
As an oral smoke-free alternative to continued smoking, nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco leaf or involve combustion. The absence of combustion is one key reason why an adult smoker might switch to a smoke-free product, such as nicotine pouches.
With no ash, no smoke and no smoke smell, nicotine pouches are a cleaner way to experience nicotine. They also don’t require any device, and are simple to use – you just place the small, white pouches between your upper lip and gum to experience the flavour and nicotine as they are released.
Are Nicotine Pouches Risk-Free?
No, nicotine pouches are not risk-free and contain nicotine, which is addictive. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Smoke-free products are not designed as cessation aids and are not alternatives to quitting.
How are Nicotine Pouches Different from Other Smoke-Free Alternatives?
In the UK, nicotine pouches are one of many smoke-free alternatives available to adult smokers. Another common alternative are vapes, otherwise known as e-cigarettes. Vapes heat an e-liquid to produce vapour, typically containing nicotine, instead of smoke.
Comparatively, nicotine pouches deliver nicotine without any vapour or smoke. You can find out more on how these two products compare in our article ‘Nicotine Pouches vs Vaping’.
Learn more about the different smoking alternatives available on our website, and the benefits of stopping smoking.
Smoke-free products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.
This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.
