Nicotine Pouches versus Tobacco

Nicotine pouches are an alternative product that use synthetic nicotine instead of tobacco-derived nicotine. It is a spitless product and can be loaded up with bold flavors. 

This confers several advantages, first it will appeal to users who would never consider doing anything that requires a spittoon.

Unlike spitless snus tobacco products, they are free from tobacco flavors and this allows manufacturers great leeway when formulating pouches in the flavors that adults prefer. Juice Head jumped on this train with the first “Fruit Forward” line of nicotine pouches.

Science Supporting Nicotine Pouches

The second advantage is more scientific. A 2016 study conducted by the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry found smoked and smokeless tobacco products contain tobacco specific nitrosamines. Even unburned tobacco leaves contain these highly carcinogenic materials because of curing, aging, and fermentation process. Tobacco specific nitrosamines are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This subject was followed up in 2023 to address to arrival of nicotine pouches that used non-tobacco sources. BMC Chemistry Journal compared two commercially available nicotine pouch products and to regular smokeless tobacco and pharmaceutical grade nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products. These of course are NRT lozenges, gums and patches that vaping has been pitted against, and prevailed over, in numerous studies. The most recent was published in the Cochrane Review and conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Doubling back to the BMC study, no tobacco specific nitrosamines were found in the nicotine pouch products (Zyn) or the NRT (lozenges and gums) that they tested. Overall, the number of harmful and potentially harmful constituents were similar between the nicotine pouch and nicotine replacement therapy products.

Advantages of Nicotine Pouches Over Vaping

A nicotine pouch is a simple conduit to deliver nicotine orally in a manner like snus. For more information check out our feature: What is in a Nicotine Pouch.

Nicotine pouches require no spitting and brands like Juice Head have embraced the popular artificial flavors that adults prefer with their fruit-forward line of products.

Obviously, the edge nicotine pouches have over a dip tobacco or combustible cigarette is clear-cut. Snus is the most comparable product, being spitless, but still has tobacco flavor and tobacco specific nitrosamines. Snus and nicotine pouches have gained wide credibility in Sweden but nicotine abstinence sentiments have undercut its standing with regulators and lawmakers elsewhere around the globe. 

Advantage of Nicotine Pouches Over Vaping

Now let us look at a more subtle comparison. The use case for nicotine pouches over vaping products. While the experience they provide is quite different than inhaling and exhaling vapor, there are many scenarios where a lack of vapor is feature. 

• Nicotine pouches are more discrete than vaping, making it a useful product if you are in an area where vaping is prohibited.
• Batteries and charging not required, just place the pouch under your lip.
• Less litter and electronic waste, specifically when compared to disposable vapes.
• No risk of malfunction or a device failing to operate.
• Threat of a leaking vape that stains clothing or possessions is avoided.
• With vapor viewed as socially unacceptable by many, it is less disruptive.
• Now available in flavors popular with adults.
• Can last up to an hour per use.
• Less dependency on accessories like coils, tanks, and pods.
• No maintenance required.
• No technical knowledge required.
• Multiple nicotine strengths. Easier to track usage and nicotine intake.