It's fair to say that the landscape of smoking alternatives has transformed in the UK in recent years. And although that’s largely down to the meteoric rise of vaping, another contender has been gaining ground – nicotine pouches.
More and more people have been turned on to nicotine pouches in the UK since they first entered the market here in 2019. There are many reasons for this. Nicotine pouches are sleek, smoke-free and super convenient. And they offer a new way to consume nicotine without the tar, combustion, or social stigma of smoking. But are nicotine pouches right for you?
Their discreet design, ease of use, and tobacco-free nature have made them an increasingly attractive option for many, especially if you’re:
oA smoker looking to quit
oSomeone who finds that vaping isn’t working for them
oA vaper who finds that you need more than just vaping alone to quit
oSomeone who wants to manage cravings more efficiently
Whether you want to quit cigarettes completely, try to reduce your nicotine intake, or you just want a convenient tool to help manage cravings without smoke or vapour, nicotine pouches might be worth exploring.
In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the rise of nicotine pouch use in the UK. We’ll examine whether they should be regarded as a fad or a reliable tool for giving up smoking. We’ll also take a look at dual use and why it’s not just a case of replacing one crutch for another. By using real customer reviews, we’ll find out why people use nicotine pouches to help them deal with nicotine cravings. And we’ll round this blog off by pondering the future of nicotine pouch use in the UK. Ready?
Nicotine Pouches – Just a Fad or a Reliable Quitting Tool?
The rise of nicotine pouches happened at the same time that disposable vapes grew in popularity in the UK. Smokers in the UK were keen to try healthier alternatives to combustible tobacco products. Although disposable vapes have been banned, vaping continues to become huge here.
If you’re unfamiliar with what nicotine pouches are, you can check out our detailed guide to learn more about them. But to summarise, they’re not a totally new product. Nicotine pouches have been popular in Scandinavian countries for many years. However, over there they are known as ‘snus’ and contain moist tobacco. Here, they have no tobacco. They contain synthetic or extracted nicotine.
Why did they get popular?
More and more people are turning to nicotine pouches as a regular part of their smoking cessation journey, particularly when other methods have fallen short. It’s easy to see why. Here are the main reasons:
oPublic awareness of the harms of smoking has never been higher than during the 2020s.
oMany smokers are actively looking for alternatives that don’t involve tobacco.
oPouches offer complete discretion and simplicity.
oPeople want choice.
There is no smell, no vapour and no devices. For these reasons, pouches can be used almost anywhere without the need to step outside or draw attention.
It’s fair to say that the rise of vaping helped show UK smokers that it was possible to enjoy a less harmful way to deliver nicotine. Nicotine pouches have seamlessly integrated into this evolving landscape.
Are nicotine pouches a good quitting tool?
Nicotine pouches are an excellent quitting tool, especially for people who value a convenient, discreet nicotine product. Because of how they are designed, they can be used in all kinds of settings, where smoking and even vaping may either be impractical or banned.
You can use nicotine pouches:
oOn long-haul flights
oExtended car journeys
oIn office environments
For managing those nicotine cravings without drawing attention, nicotine pouches really do the business.
Nicotine pouches vs cigarettes
oReduced risk – With nicotine pouches, there is no exposure to tar, carbon monoxide and other chemicals present in cigarette smoke
oNo secondhand smoke – You don’t expose those around you to harmful toxins, so it’s not just you that benefits
oOdourless – No lingering smell left on clothing
Nicotine pouches vs vaping
oFlavours - There are several options for nicotine pouches, including berry, coffee, and fruit. However, there are also more adventurous vaping flavours currently available.
oVisibility - Nicotine pouches are so discreet, they can be used anywhere. Vapers can be seen easily in public.
oEase of use - There’s no additional equipment or setup with pouches. Vapes require charging and refilling, plus device maintenance.
Dual Use – Not Just Replacing One Thing For Another
The idea of "dual use" in the context of smoking alternatives might sound silly at first. After all, surely that means you’re actually increasing your nicotine consumption?
However, by using nicotine pouches, you can strategically utilise the available tools to manage your cravings effectively, and you can progressively reduce your overall nicotine dependence over time.
Smoking alternatives such as vaping and nicotine pouches are designed to serve as stepping stones. Using them can help you manage your cravings and, in time, transition away from tobacco and nicotine completely.
Of course, it's important to use all nicotine products in moderation due to the risks of overconsumption. Still, both vapes and nicotine pouches are safer and more health-conscious options than combustible tobacco.
Dual use can help with:
oManaging cravings – If you only vape, there’s a risk you could chain vape. If you also use nicotine pouches, you may manage your cravings better, wherever you might be.
oDiscretion – You may not feel comfortable whipping out your vape just anywhere and blowing clouds. As we’ve already mentioned, nicotine pouches are discreet and unnoticeable when in use. So you can give yourself the choice through dual use.
oIdeal travel partner – If you’re travelling and can’t use a vape, nicotine pouches are a great temporary replacement.
oBalanced nicotine intake – Getting the right level and using it as advised allows you to manage your cravings better, and can ultimately increase your chances of success for quitting.
oAvoid relapse – Travelling, working late, or attending events where you can’t vape could potentially trigger a relapse. Having nicotine pouches as a backup keeps your quit attempt on track.
If you’re new to nicotine pouches, we recommend you start with a lower strength. Beginners sometimes make the mistake of starting too strong, which can lead to nausea or discomfort. Similar to inhaling a vape that’s too powerful. Start low, and only increase if you really need to.
The Future of Nicotine Pouch Use in the UK
More people than ever are trying to quit smoking, so it’s likely that nicotine pouches will continue to grow in popularity. Their convenience, safety and adaptability mean they’re a great choice for those looking to move away from tobacco.
However, as with vaping, the more popular nicotine pouches become, the more attention the government will give them. With the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on the horizon, we would expect more rules and regulations around vaping, and the same could eventually happen with nicotine pouches.
That being said, we hope that any measures would strike a balance between safeguarding public health and ensuring continued accessibility for adults seeking a healthier alternative to combustible tobacco.
Nicotine pouches provide a significantly less harmful way for nicotine-dependent individuals to manage their cravings and ultimately quit smoking. So, keeping them available as a valuable harm reduction tool should be a key consideration in any future rules and regulations.