Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouches entered the market in 2019 and are used by nicotine dependent users. They are usually placed between the gum and cheek and don’t contain tobacco.

Some of the best or renowned brands are On nicotine pouches, Zyn, and Velo. Nicotine pouches are often marketed as safer alternatives to smoking since they are usually tobacco-free. But it is highly recommended that you talk to your physician before using a nicotine pouch.

What are nicotine pouches?

Nicotine pouches are oral, tobacco-free nicotine pouches primarily designed to deliver highly stimulating enjoyment for users above 18 years. It does not contain a single tobacco leaf, dust, or stem.

Nicotine pouches are unlike chewing tobacco, as users don’t have to spit it out. However, some brands provide storage areas in the top case – known as a ‘catch lid’ where users can keep used nicotine pouches if no trash cans are available.

The contents of nicotine pouches often remain inside the pouch before, during, and after use. No combustion whatsoever is involved during the use of this product. Some individuals erroneously categorize nicotine pouches as ‘smokeless products.’

However, no one knows the long-term health implications or impact nicotine pouches have on the human body. They are not technically – and currently – categorized as smokeless tobacco.

Nevertheless, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) doesn’t regulate nicotine pouches as strictly as combustible tobacco or smoked tobacco products. This is due to the lack of independent testing of nicotine pouch constituents, biomarkers of effects, or exposure.

What makes up a nicotine pouch?

The primary ingredients you will find in a nicotine pouch are:

• Nicotine (synthetic or tobacco-derived)
• Sweeteners
• Flavourings
• Water
• Plant-based fibres

Nicotine pouches have different strengths, i.e., some pouches come with nicotine levels ranging from 2mg to 8mg. Your choice of nicotine pouch depends on the type of punch you want it to pack.

Nicotine pouches have a wide range of flavorful options to satisfy users with different tastes. This includes coffee, black cherry, peppermint, citrus, and many others.

This is just one of the reasons users claim that nicotine pouches are memorable and mouthwatering.

The complete lack of tobacco stems and leaves in nicotine pouches makes them quite different from other popular smokeless products laden with nicotine. Some examples of smokeless products include snuff, chewing tobacco, and snus.

Although snus is often available in small pouches that can be placed in the mouth, the pouches are typically filled with finely-ground, moist tobacco.

Are nicotine pouches safer alternatives to smoking?

As mentioned earlier, nicotine pouches do not contain any form of tobacco, such as tobacco leaves or stems. This makes nicotine pouches far safer alternatives to smokeless tobacco products like snus.

Snus and other smokeless tobacco products are known to cause the following health problems:

• Gum disease
• Cancer of the mouth
• Tooth loss
• Throat cancer
• Stained teeth and cavities
• Pancreatic cancer
• Considerably high chances of stroke and heart diseases

These are the primary reasons why nicotine pouches are considered safer options than snuff, snus, and other tobacco-based and smokeless products.

Conclusion

Nicotine pouches are better and safer options for tobacco and tobacco-based products, including snus, snuff, etc. They are not like chewing tobacco that users need to spit out. The FDA has not entirely restricted its use and does not categorise it with other smokeless products.

Do not use nicotine pouches unless you have discussed them with your medical doctor. Nicotine pouches should not be smoked or swallowed. Seek medical attention immediately if you mistakenly swallow a nicotine pouch.