April 24, 2024

Complete Guide to Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouches are gaining popularity due to their discreet nature and because they are perceived as a better alternative to traditional oral tobacco products.

Are you a vaper, smoker, or chewing tobacco user? Has the soaring popularity of nicotine pouches caught your attention? You are in the right place. This deep-dive feature will cover every aspect of tobacco-free nicotine pouches. We break down the purpose of each ingredient, each parse the sweeteners used in tobacco leaf free nicotine pouches. But first things first.

Where Can I Buy Nicotine Pouches?

While nicotine pouches are viewed as a convenience store staple, the cheapest nicotine pouch prices are to be found online. At Mi-Pod, you can buy nicotine pouches online for personal use and business owners can visit Mi-Pod Wholesale. Shop our nicotine pouches collection for more information.

Mi-Pod Nicotine Pouches

If you are looking for nicotine pouches online, we recommend the Zimo Collection. They are tobacco-leaf free, have sharper flavors and less cottonmouth than Zyn. While you should always drink plenty when using pouches, ZYN seems to exacerbate dry mouth issues according to reviews.

On the flipside, Zimo are one of the most popular brands and are not manufactured by tobacco companies. Zimo is the best ZYN alternative.

Big Tobacco Free

You can buy nicotine pouches online at Mi-Pod, but we do not carry Big Tobacco brands like ZYN pouches, On! Pouches, Velo Pouches, and Rogue. ZYN is a Phillip Morris International Product.

These nicotine products dominate the gas station and convenience store market. British American Tobacco (BAT) makes Velo, On! is an Altria product. Despite their more "indie" look and vibe, Rogue is a subsidiary of Swisher.

In our estimation, Zimo and Juice Head are currently the best nicotine pouches and best products in the oral nicotine category overall.

What Are Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches look like a paler colored snus pouch in appearance. They are designed to fit snugly between the user's lip and gum without the necessity for spitting.

Inside of these pouches, both made from what WebMD describes as "plant-based-based fibers", there are some big differences between snus and pure white nicotine pouches.

Unlike snus, nicotine pouches are a tobacco-leaf free alternative. They come in multiple nic strengths, with the potency varying by brand even if the actual pouches appear almost identical. Nicotine pouches flavors range from those found in traditional oral tobacco products to fruity pouch flavors likely to appeal to adult vapers.

How to Use Nicotine Pouches

If you have never used traditional snus or Swedish snus, the placement of oral nicotine pouches may not be totally intuitive. They do not go in your cheek like uncouth chaw. A pouch is properly parked in the space above your front teeth and in your upper lip. When drained of flavor, most popular nicotine pouch brands have a catch lid for storing old pouches.

NICOTINE POUCH PLACEMENT

After opening can, take one nicotine pouch and place it under your lip. Nicotine pouches are quite compact. Once flattened against your gum, or “parked”, they because unnoticeable whether you are talking or laughing. A nicotine pouch fits easily under the upper or lower lip.

While it varies by individual, you are likely absorbing less than half the nicotine in each pouch. And the majority is absorbed in the first ten minutes. How nicotine pouch users choose to use these products can be chalked up to personal preference.

How Long Do Nicotine Pouches Last?

With proper positioning out of the way, simply open the can and park the pouch underneath your upper lip. Some brands say their nicotine pouches last up to 30 minutes, others for up to an hour. In some marketing materials, ZYN and VELO have stated placement over an hour is viable.

In theory, the flavor should cease at the time that the nicotine has been absorbed. It makes for a very tidy product. The appeal of nicotine pouches can be attributed to this ease of use and the fact they contain no tobacco.

When first inserting or parking the nicotine pouch, there is a distinct tingling sensation. It will subside but take heed if you encounter gum irritation. It is worth noting that although the ingredients and components of nicotine pouches do not vary much, there are big differences in the flavors and sweetening agents. This can impact mouthfeel and explains why a Zimo Pouch may look identical to a ZYN at first glance yet taste much juicer and less likely to inflict cottonmouth.

Nicotine Strengths

Nicotine pouches are designed for adult nicotine users. They contain the addictive substance of nicotine. Do not start using these products if you do not already have tobacco dependence through tobacco use.

Nicotine pouches may be tobacco leaf free, but they certainly are not nicotine free. In fact, nicotine pouch strengths are carefully crafted, and nicotine content precisely monitored. Here is a quick run-down of the major brands. This is an innovative market. Nicotine strengths may change, and different flavors may appear on the market.

How Strong are Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches range widely in strength. The popular Zyn, manufactured by Phillip Morris International, is available in 3mg and 6mg nicotine strength. On! which is from Marlboro-maker Altria, come in 2mg, 4mg, and 8mg nicotine strengths. Juice Head pouches are available in 6 and 12mg nicotine strength. Zimo is available in 3, 6 and 8mg nicotine strength.

FRE currently makes the strongest pouches. They sell extra strong pouches with nicotine strengths of 9mg and 15mg. If you are looking to buy tobacco-free nicotine pouches based on strength, FRE wins.

Frequency and Duration of Nicotine Pouch Use

Our current data shows the average user of nicotine pouches goes through five to ten pouches a day. As each can contains twenty pouches, this equates to a nicotine pouch can consumed every two to four days on average.

An increase in adult vapers who use nicotine pouches is likely to increase as more products in the fruit flavors that adult vapers prefer are made available.

Nicotine Pouch Market

Investors are bullish about the appeal of oral nicotine pouches, and efforts to treat them as harshly nicotine vapes have run into more partisan backlash than expected. Their seemingly better standing is certainly facilitated by the fact the largest players are multinational companies and not independent vape shops.

There is no question that cigarette smoking is on the decline and alternative nicotine delivery options gaining share. Here is Altria's own data on the US Nicotine Market.

ZYN now controls 40 percent of the smokeless tobacco market. The vaping products and flavors most popular with adults are also being driven from the market. The FDA has only approved 7 obsolete cigalikes at this time, and none of the flavored vapes that are overwhelmingly preferred by legal age customers.

It is no mystery vape flavor bans increase cigarette sales. The only unresolved issue is if adult vapers when cut off from the products they prefer will be funneled back into the arms of the tobacco industry or if they will embrace the independent manufacturers who make some of the best nicotine pouches.

Declines in smoking rates have started to stall ; if we're going to help more adults quit combustible cigarettes we have to embrace harm reduction and offer adult smokers modified risk nicotine products that don't have same risks as combusting tobacco 1/2 https://t.co/l3a1zmffqc
— Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) February 26, 2024

Broken FDA regulations have cut-off adult vapers from their preferred flavor profiles, but it is inevitable that many will not accept total abstinence and prohibition. Especially when vaping has outperformed nicotine replacement therapy in so many studies. Nicotine gum would appear to the primary loser with the appearance of oral nicotine pouches, even though it is classified as Nicotine Replacement Therapy and as a Big Pharma product receives considerable latitude.

ZYNsurrection

The dominant force in the nicotine pouches market is ZYN. A product of Phillip Morris International, ZYN won a rare public relations victory against well-funded nicotine prohibitionist lobbyists and their political henchmen when conservative politicians rallied to humiliate Democrat Chuck Schumer and his evidence free demand for a ban on nic pouch flavors. It was referred to as the ZYNSurrection.

Advantages of Nicotine Pouches

There are four general use cases where nicotine pouches make sense for an adult who is already consuming a nicotine product. These are widely applicable.

Nicotine pouches appeal to adult nicotine users who are hoping to avoid exposure to the tar and carcinogens of combustible cigarettes, while still satisfying nicotine cravings. A tobacco free product fits the bill.

Chewing tobacco and snus users are switching to nicotine pouches because they are completely tobacco free. Being made instead made from synthetic nicotine, nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco-specific carcinogens or flavors.
Adult vapers who are looking for a more discrete option that can be used in smoke free areas.
Vapers denied their preferred products by stringent regulations who cannot afford expensive prefilled vape pod kits, which can run hundreds of dollars a month to use.
Nicotine users who have decided to switch to an oral product that does not require inhalation.

Nicotine Pouch Advantages Over Vaping

Unlike vaping, nicotine pouches are not restricted by smoking bans and can be enjoyed in smoke-free areas, making them a convenient option for consumers. They have also not been ambushed by a decade of misinformation and bad federal policy that denies adults access to their preferred products.

Not relying on inhalation is a big deal. The CDC's botched investigation EVALI, a lung-condition traced entirely to black market cannabis carts, damaged the reputation of nicotine vaping even though the culprit adulterant (vitamin E acetate) was not found in any vape juice samples. Vitamin E acetate is completely incompatible with VG/PG style vape juices, a case of oil and water, but the CDC continues to conflate cannabis pens and nicotine vapes.

Between EVALI in fall 2019 and Covid, it is easy to see how a nicotine alternative that does not interface with the lungs would increase in popularity. While groups like the Orwellian-named Truth Initiative and their friendly political henchmen have made rumblings about banning nicotine pouches, it is a new effort. Compare that to the hundreds of millions they have spent to vilify vaping.

Nicotine Pouches versus Snus and Chewing Tobacco

A nicotine pouch looks a lot like a snus. And it contains nicotine. Both are parked under the front lip and spitless.

The big difference is that nicotine pouches do not contain any tobacco. Even further off target than snus, tradition dip and tobacco leaf pouch products require spitting or the use of a spittoon as well.

A 2016 study conducted by the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry found both smoked and smokeless tobacco products contain tobacco specific nitrosamines. These were not found in nicotine pouches.

The BMC Chemistry Journal conducted studies on two commercially available nicotine pouch products and compared them with smokeless tobacco and pharmaceutical grade nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products.

No nitrosamines were found in the nicotine pouch products or the NRT (lozenges and nicotine gum) that they tested. Overall, the number of harmful and potentially harmful constituents were similar between the nicotine pouch and nicotine replacement therapy products.

What Is in a Nicotine Pouch?

Nicotine Pouches use synthetic nicotine salts and are also free from tobacco leaf. This makes them an ideal conduit for refreshing and palatable flavors.

The most common and best-selling nicotine pouch flavors are mint, spearmint, cinnamon, and wintergreen style flavors. There are also a wide-range fruit pouches, with Juice Head featuring a wide-range of Mint-Fruit fusions and even Velo getting into the act with a dragon fruit flavored pouch.

Nicotine Pouch Ingredients

There is not a huge variation in nicotine pouches. Exact ingredients will vary between different brands but there is a lot of overlap. This information will be very useful for wholesale nicotine pouch purchasers and customers, as it will allow you to be educated about what is in nicotine pouches.

Any time shelf-stable ingredients are examined, there are likely to be some scientific words present.

The ingredients below are typical in shelf-stable food products. As you might expect from a relatively inexpensive and mass-produced product, there is nothing exotic.

From food grade fillers to nicotine and other forms of sweeteners, nicotine pouches are a sturdy consumer product. They do not require refrigeration and are not easily altered by atmospheric conditions.

And while there is a move to the natural in many products, in this case the entire purpose of these products is to advantage of synthetic nicotine.

Cellulose, Non-Tobacco Nicotine, Salt, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Alginate, Flavoring, Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Acesulfame Potassium, and Sucralose

CELLULOSE

Made from plant fibers, this is the material the pouch is made from and adds volume to the pouch. In many designs, cellulose granules are soaked in nicotine as a carrier. This adds the softness and mouthfeel which many users seek.

NICOTINE SALTS

Nicotine is an addictive chemical. This product is intended for adult vapers, smokers, and smokeless users. The nicotine in these pouches is synthetic.

The nicotine enters your bloodstream through the oral mucosa under your lip. Nicotine pouches use nicotine salt, which has a faster absorption rate according to some studies and a lower pH when compared to freebase nicotine that is derived from tobacco leaf. Juice Head and most other brands are available in 6 and 12mg strength, a specificity not found on tobacco dips and snus.

SODIUM BICARBONATE

Also known as baking soda, sodium bicarbonate is a food grade product that is used to regulate pH in nicotine pouches. It also reduces stomach acid, which is a feature for a spitless product with the potential for swallowed nicotine. In the words of Phillip Morris International Science, “If the pH level is too neutral, then nicotine won’t transfer across the mucosa. Anything above 9.1 becomes too basic and can be an oral irritant, which is why existing industry standards set that upper limit. Sodium carbonate or bicarbonate is commonly used to regulate the ph.”

SODIUM ALGINATE

Another food additive classified as safe by the FDA Regulatory Framework, WHO, and FAO, sodium alginate is obtained from Atlantic Ocean Sea Weed (hence its name) and binds moisture. It is used in toothpaste, face masks and in nicotine replacement therapy products as well. It serves as a glidant and lubricant that reduces irritation.

FLAVORING

Nicotine pouches use artificial flavorings, much in the same manner as e-liquids. Globally, most popular flavorings with adults are of course fruit inspired. Juice Head launched the first line of fruit-forward nicotine pouches, taking advantage of the fact synthetic nicotine is free from the tobacco heavy notes found in snus and tobacco derived nicotine products.

PROPYLENE GLYCOL-VEGETABLE GLYCERIN

A pair of familiar names for vapers, these two ingredients enhanced user experience. Propylene glycol is colorless, odorless, slightly sweet, and non-toxic. In conjunction with vegetable glycerin (glycerol), these serve as stabilizers that maintain moisture levels, and maintain flavor consistency and distribution.

POTASSIUM SORBATE

Potassium sorbate is a common food preservative. It is found in many medicines as well and helps prevent yeast and mold growth. It is viewed as one of the safest additives found in cosmetics, foods, and pharmaceuticals. It is non-toxic.

ACESULFAME POTASSIUM

Acesulfame Potassium is a sweetener and flavor enhancer. It also enhances the smell of products. Approved in the EU and US, it is stable during thermal processing. Water soluble, it is 150 times sweeter than sugar but has somewhat bitter taste which is why it is often paired with other sweeteners.

SUCRALOSE

A high-intensity artificial sweetener, sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar. Sucralose is a general-purpose sweetener. It is heat stable, making it especially popular in baked goods. But it can be found in beverages, chewing gum, and frozen dairy desserts as well.

Nicotine Pouches Brands

When dealing with an oral nicotine product sold in a can, it is natural to assume that nicotine pouches are also made by the tobacco industry.

The most popular brand is Phillip Morris International’s ZYN, the technology behind nicotine pouches is simple enough that trusted names in vaping like Juice Head also have excellent products with superior margins. Some of the cheapest nicotine pouches manage to hit that price point without being subsidized by multi-billion-dollar tobacco conglomerates.

ZYN NICOTINE POUCHES

ZYN Pouches in the US market come in 3 and 6mg nicotine strength. Each tin contains 20 pouches. A ZYN pouch is designed to be held in your mouth for 30 minutes, at which point the flavor and nicotine should have been absorbed.

A bit of research online turns up that the common critique of the ZYN Nicotine Pouches is a dry mouth feel. ZYN does have some different flavors in the European market that could really inject life into their staid lineup.

ZYN POUCH FLAVORS (US MARKET)

ZYN Wintergreen Nicotine Pouches
ZYN Spearmint Nicotine Pouches
ZYN Cool Mint Nicotine Pouches
ZYN Citrus Nicotine Pouches
ZYN Peppermint Nicotine Pouches
ZYN Cinnamon Nicotine Pouches
ZYN Smooth Nicotine Pouches
ZYN Chill Nicotine Pouches
ZYN Coffee Nicotine Pouches

ZIMO NICOTINE POUCHES

While there is another great pouch with juice in its in name, juiciness seems to be the most common adjective when comparing Zimo to ZYN. And when you buy nicotine pouches online at Mi-Pod, you can save while getting a superior product.

Zimo has fewer flavors than ZYN, but they cover a wider range of flavor profiles. The Zimo brand does not currently offer coffee pouches but almost any personal preference of an adult pouch user is met by their six flavor options.

Zimo Pouches Flavors

The Zimo Nicotine Pouches collection covers the flavors of the traditional tobacco products while reaching out to adult vapers being denied the flavors they prefer. It is a smokeless and vaporless product which is formulated to deliver the distinct impression of freshness. They pack a lot of juiciness in those little white nicotine pouches.

JUICE HEAD POUCHES

Where Zimo managed to check the taste, boxes desired by typical oral tobacco product users seeking synthetic alternatives and meet the needs of adult vapers, the Juice Head Pouch Collection is laser focused on adult vapers with their fruit forward collection of flavors. Juice Head might be a perfect fit for vapers looking to buy nicotine pouches.

Of all the nicotine pouch brands, Juice Head has the most vaper friendly lineup. Their nicotine pouch flavors all feature fruit and mint blends.

There is not a cinnamon or wintergreen pouch in sight. But this is no surprise as Juice Head is one of the most respected US-based vape juice brands. If you are looking to buy nicotine pouches directly influenced by vape flavors, Juice Head is a perfect choice.

JUICE HEAD POUCH FLAVORS

Mango Strawberry Mint
Blueberry Lemon Mint
Watermelon Strawberry Mint
Raspberry Lemonade Mint
Peach Pineapple Mint

ON! POUCHES

On! Nicotine Pouches are made by Altria and come in 4 and 8mg strength.

ON! POUCH FLAVORS

On! Wintergreen Nicotine Pouches
On! Cinnamon Nicotine Pouches
On! Mint Nicotine Pouches
On! Citrus Nicotine Pouches
On! Berry Nicotine Pouches
On! Coffee Nicotine Pouches
On! Original (Unflavored) Nicotine Pouches

VELO POUCHES

Velo Nicotine Pouches are made by BAT. They are sold in 4 and 6mg nicotine strength. They have many more flavors in other markets.

VELO FLAVORS

VELO Wintergreen Nicotine Pouches
VELO Spearmint Nicotine Pouches
VELO Mint Nicotine Pouches
VELO Citrus Nicotine Pouches
VELO Dragon Fruit Nicotine Pouches
VELO Peppermint Nicotine Pouches
VELO Citrus Burst Nicotine Pouches
VELO Cinnamon Nicotine Pouches
VELO Black Cherry Nicotine Pouches
VELO Coffee Nicotine Pouches

Rogue Nicotine Pouches

Rogue Nic Pouches are available two nicotine strength options: 3 and 6mg. A subsidiary of the tobacco-giant Swisher, they are sold in ten flavors.

ROGUE POUCH FLAVORS

Compared to the other Big Tobacco players, they have a similar assortment of multiple mint flavors, but their collection of fruit inspired flavors is a bit more aggressive than ZYN. They are one of the top brands.

Rogue Wintergreen Nicotine Pouches
Rogue Peppermint Nicotine Pouches
Rogue Spearmint Nicotine Pouches
Rogue Mango Nicotine Pouches
Rogue Apple Nicotine Pouches
Rogue Berry Nicotine Pouches
Rogue Honey Lemon Nicotine Pouches
Rogue Cinnamon Nicotine Pouches
Rogue Tabac Nicotine Pouches
Rogue Original Nicotine Pouches

FRĒ Pouches

With a very high nicotine level, FRĒ Pouches are one of the most popular independent brands. These are not "mini-pouches". The 15mg strength packs seven-fold the nic strength of some rivals. There are only four flavors but they cover a lot of ground.

FRĒ POUCHES FLAVORS

FRĒ Mint Nicotine Pouches
FRĒ Wintergreen Nicotine Pouches
FRĒ Lush Nicotine Pouches
FRĒ Sweet Nicotine Pouches

LUCY POUCHES

Lucy Pouches are available in two styles, multiple nicotine strengths, and several great flavors. This is a nic pouch brand that covers a lot of ground. Lucy Slim is their traditional nicotine pouch product. Then there is also Lucy Breakers.

LUCY BREAKERS

There are two pouch sizes and styles offered by Lucy. The small pouches, referred to as slim, are the typical nicotine pouches design.

Then there is the Lucy Breakers line-up. To use a Lucy Breaker, you unpark the nicotine pouch and gently chomp. It can then be returned to whence it came, generating additional flavor. Similar capsules have been used in cigarette filters in the past.

It is easy to see why they are among the more popular brands, Lucy Breakers releases moisture. This makes it a great ZYN alternative. They have several fruit flavors in both styles.

Lucy Slim Pouches come in 4mg, 8mg, and 12mg nicotine level. Lucy Breakers foregoes the lower strength option, offering only a nicotine level of 8mg and 12mg.

LUCY FLAVORS

Lucy Breakers Apple Ice Nicotine Pouches
Lucy Breakers Mint Nicotine Pouches
Lucy Breakers Apple Cider Nicotine Pouches
Lucy Breakers Berry Citrus Nicotine Pouches
Lucy Breakers Espresso Nicotine Pouches
Lucy Breakers Mango Nicotine Pouches
Lucy Slim Pouches Mango Nicotine Pouches
Lucy Slim Pouches Espresso Nicotine Pouches
Lucy Slim Pouches Mint Nicotine Pouches
Lucy Slim Pouches Wintergreen Nicotine Pouches

Final Thoughts

There will be a lot more written on nicotine pouches in the future. How will the nicotine prohibitionists react to a novel product used by older adults of a more conservative persuasion. Will the fact companies like Phillip Morris currently control the lion’s share of the market reduce lobbying pressure against these products. Will a more rational approach to regulation be adopted.

Only time will tell.