Nicotine Pouch FAQs:
Everything You Need To Know

Nicotine pouches, or 'nic pouches', have been slow to gain popularity in the UK but are now becoming more widely available in both physical and online retailers alike. They were once unique to the Scandinavian market where they are still incredibly popular today, with even vaping, which has become one of the most popular alternatives to smoking across the globe, paling in comparison to the popularity of nic pouches amongst Scandi consumers.

With nic pouches being such a new product, many people will have questions about what they are and how they work. That’s why in this blog, we will try to explain everything you need to know about nicotine pouches and why they might be a good choice for you!

Nic Pouch FAQs

• What Are Nicotine Pouches?
• What Are Nicotine Pouches Made From?
• How Do Nicotine Pouches Work?
• Are Nicotine Pouches Safe?
• Do Nicotine Pouches Have Side Effects?
• Why Should You Use Nicotine Pouches?
• How Do You Use Nicotine Pouches?
• How Do You Dispose Of Used Nicotine Pouches?
• Are Nicotine Pouches Better Than Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Or Vaping?
• Conclusion

What Are Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches are a smoke-free alternative nicotine delivery product which first became popular in Scandinavian countries and have slowly gained traction around the world. They are similar to nicotine gum in that they deliver nicotine via absorption through the soft tissue in your mouth, albeit without the need to chew.

Nicotine pouches are small, white, soft, pillow-shaped pouches containing a nicotine infused powder. They come in a variety of flavours, nicotine strengths, and sizes. Different brands are known to provide slightly different options and experiences so take note of product descriptions and information before you decide to give nicotine pouches a try.

Nicotine pouches are not to be confused with snus, although they look very similar. Snus contains actual tobacco and is banned in the UK currently, whereas nicotine pouches do not contain any actual tobacco and are perfectly legal to buy and sell. The easiest way to tell a nic pouch from snus is the colour – nic pouches are generally white in colour, whereas snus pouches contain actual tobacco and so are much darker.

What Are Nicotine Pouches Made From?

Nicotine pouches are most commonly made from a porous, cellulose-based, non-woven material. This material is filled with a powdered nicotine extracted from tobacco leaves and diluted to specific strengths to meet different craving intensities, although some brands utilise synthetic nicotine.

This nicotine powder is combined with food-grade flavourings including sweetener in some recipes to create different flavour profiles which are released as the nicotine pouch is used.

How Do Nicotine Pouches Work?

Nicotine pouches work by delivering nicotine through buccal absorption when the pouch is placed in the user’s mouth between the gum and cheek. As saliva passes through the porous material making up the outer of the pouch, the nicotine is released from the powder inside along with flavourings to make the experience more pleasant.

This nicotine then absorbs into the body via the soft tissues in the mouth, delivering fast-acting craving satisfaction due to the effectiveness of this type of absorption, which beats out smoking and vaping in terms of the amount of nicotine delivered in a short space of time. The pouch typically continues to deliver nicotine steadily for up to an hour although some brands may perform better or worse, and personal preference is also a factor.

Are Nicotine Pouches Safe?

Nicotine pouches are considered safe for use in the UK. While the long-term health impacts are still unknown, comparative to smoking they deliver considerably less harmful chemicals into the body, being comprised of only nicotine powder and flavourings. They require no combustion and are tobacco-free.

For adults looking for a nicotine alternative that no longer requires inhaling anything, nicotine pouches could even be considered safer than vaping, as they are simply placed in the mouth without impacting the lungs.

As with any nicotine product it is always best to seek the advice of your GP if you have any doubts before starting to use nic pouches. They can help you make a plan for quitting smoking that is suited to your needs.

Do Nicotine Pouches Have Side Effects?

Nicotine pouches carry the same potential side effects as any other nicotine product. Ingesting too much nicotine too quickly can result in:
• Nausea
• Hiccups
• Dizziness

Some users have also noted that they experience a sore mouth and irritation of the gums when using certain flavours of nic pouches. It should be noted that this is likely down to sensitivity to certain ingredients within the flavourings, check the product label where any sensitisers will be listed in the ingredients before trying a nicotine pouch to avoid this.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop using Nicotine pouches immediately, and consult your local GP. It's always recommended to start with a lower strength nicotine per pouch to get used to them, as using a higher strength one straight away may cause you to suffer a few of the side effects listed above.

Why Should You Use Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches are an excellent alternative for smokers looking to quit, but also vapers who may find themselves looking to reduce their intake, or who experience cravings at times when vaping may not be permitted/accessible such as working indoors or travelling on public transport.

Nic pouches are discreet, are available in a range of flavours and strengths, and are completely tobacco free so they can provide a tailored solution for your personal cessation journey. If you are looking for an alternative nicotine product that is far removed from the act of smoking then nic pouches might be a good choice, where vaping actively seeks to emulate the act of smoking through inhalation to create familiarity, those looking for .

How Do You Use Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches are very simple to use. You open your container, remove the pouch, place it between your gum and cheek, allow the nicotine and flavour to release over a period of time until your craving is satisfied and then place the used pouch into the separate compartment in the container to be disposed of later.

The amount of time you should leave the pouch in your mouth is determined by a combination of craving intensity and personal preference. If you find you are leaving your pouch in for a very long time without feeling satisfied, it is advisable to try a higher nicotine strength.

If you are unsure which strength is suitable for you we recommend starting low and working your way up until you find the ideal level. Having tapered strengths available means you will have the flexibility to reduce your nicotine intake over time as part of a cessation journey, but also increase the strength for times when you feel cravings may be intensified.

How Do You Dispose Of Used Nicotine Pouches?

The containers your nicotine pouches come packaged in have a separate compartment built into the lid for you to dispose of your used nicotine pouches when you've finished with them, so you don't have to leave them littered around while on-the-go.

Then you simply empty this compartment into any normal bin when you can access one, and put the empty container into your plastic recycling where available once the whole pack has been used.

Are Nicotine Pouches Better Than Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Or Vaping?

Whether or not nicotine pouches are better than other NRT methods is entirely down to personal preference and experience; everybody will have different needs on their cessation journeys. Some prefer replicating the familiar hand to mouth action of smoking with tools like vaping, where others prefer more discreet options.

While not currently recognised as a form of NRT, nic pouches function very similarly to nicotine gum or lozenges, by steadily releasing nicotine into your system via the mouth. They match the level of discretion offered by existing NRT solutions like nicotine patches but are more readily available from a range of convenience and online retailers for far more affordable prices.

If you have tried and failed to quit before and are now looking for a new way to quit smoking, it is worth consulting your local doctor or stop smoking service about whether or not nicotine pouches may be a good option for you to try.

Conclusion

Nicotine pouches are an up and coming alternative product that offer discretion and satisfaction for those looking to quit smoking. Whether you are just starting out on your journey, or are looking to supplement your current NRT or vaping, nic pouches are a convenient and affordable solution, which is why they are becoming more and more popular in the UK as time goes on.

We are launching our own range of LiQuid nic pouches very soon to further support our customers on their cessation journeys. Check our online store regularly to ensure you don't miss the launch, or check out our new customer page to learn more about what we offer and get access to our newsletters to stay up-to-date with all our exciting product releases and offers!