Nicotine pouch

Nicotine pouches are small, rectangular pouches containing nicotine, flavorings and other ingredients. Unlike snus, they do not include tobacco leaf, dust, or stem. The nicotine may either be derived from tobacco plants or may be synthetic.

Like with snus or dipping tobacco the user puts a pouch between their lip and gum, and leaves it there while the nicotine and taste is being released. The nicotine enters the bloodstream via mucous membranes in the gums. When finished, the pouch is disposed of. The small pouches differ from chewing tobacco in that the user does not need to spit, since the contents of the pouches stay inside the pouches during use.

There is limited independent testing of the constituents, exposure, or biomarkers of effects for nicotine pouches, although independent research is now emerging. Global sales of nicotine pouches expanded rapidly between 2018 and 2023, increasing from an estimated 292 million units to 20.1 billion units, with approximately 85 percent of purchases occurring in the United States, and one brand, Zyn, accounting for more than 70 percent of the global market share. Since 2021, sales of nicotine pouches have grown with Zyn as the global leader. This popularity has led to controversy among government regulators who view the product's appeal to youth as concerning.

While relatively new, nicotine pouches share similarities with Swedish snus. The first pouch product was developed in the beginning of the 2000s by a small start up company Niconovum. This company registered the product in 2008 as a medicinal nicotine replacement product (Zonnic) with 2 mg of nicotine. In 2009, RJ Reynolds (now British American Tobacco) bought Niconovum. Thereafter tobacco companies, particularly Swedish Match, became active in the pouch category. Many of Sweden's leading snus manufacturers, such as Swedish Match, Skruf and AG Snus created their nicotine pouch brands as a direct response to demand for a nicotine option with less conspicuous, smokeless usage. While discreet and tobacco-free, nicotine pouches can still, potentially, cause some side effects like: hiccups, gum irritation, nausea and headaches.

It is unclear whether smokers might switch to nicotine pouches or if they would continue to smoke and use nicotine pouches, resulting in dual use.Retail prices for nicotine pouches vary across countries and sales channels. In the United States, convenience store data from 2018 to 2022 indicate that inflation-adjusted prices for modern oral nicotine products, including nicotine pouches, ranged from approximately US$4.22 to $4.57, compared to about $5.73 to $8.55 per pack of cigarettes over the same period. Recent analyses of the U.S. retail market indicate that oral nicotine pouches are often priced lower than cigarettes, in part because many states do not tax them in the same way as other tobacco products, a factor that may contribute to their uptake among price-sensitive users. Unlike vaping products, they require no batteries and no accessory device.

Nicotine pouches may entice youth as well as young adult never-smokers because they are available in an array of flavors and may be used unobtrusively.

In pharmacies in Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden, nicotine pouches are also sold as a delivery mechanism for nicotine replacement therapy. In Norway, the brand Zonnic is approved by the Norwegian Medicines Agency for smoking cessation. In Canada, 4 mg nicotine pouches became available for sale in gas stations and convenience stores in 2023 as a form of nicotine replacement therapy under the brand Zonnic.

In addition to addictive nicotine (sometimes as nicotine salts), pouches typically contain food-grade fillers, sweeteners, and flavorings. The main ingredient in nicotine pouches in terms of volume is plant fiber. Plant fibers are used to fill the pouch and give it the desired shape, fit, and properties. Different brands use different fibers, but some of the most common derive from eucalyptus and pine.