If you’ve been shopping in your local supermarket, petrol station or even local vape store, chances are you’ve seen small white tins on display behind the counter and more than likely you’ve been curious to know what they are if you didn’t already know. Those little white tins are filled with Nicotine Pouches, and these are what is becoming one of the most popular options for people to get their nicotine fix.
Nicotine Pouches offer a smoke and vapour free option as a nicotine delivery system, and they are subtle and discreet in design which makes them perfect for anyone who is on the go a lot, or that wants to discreetly get their nicotine hit without others noticing. In this blog, I’m going to take a look at what exactly Nicotine Pouches are and explain it in depth as well as the benefits of using them and where you can buy them in the UK!
What is in a Nicotine Pouch?
All Nicotine Pouches are similar in design, a soft white pouch (varying in size depending on what brand you buy) that is filled with a powdered Nicotine solution, stored safely and securely within the pouch.
With the pouches being a smaller size, this doesn’t leave much room for the ingredients to be added in, so the volume of ingredients that are used is minute and only the essential things needed to make the Nicotine solution are used.
The amount of Nicotine powder solution that is used will also vary depending on what nicotine strength is chosen, we discuss Nicotine strengths a little further down in this article. Alongside the nicotine, other ingredients used are flavourings (specific to the flavour you purchase) and binding agents that are essential to keep the solution from drying out and keeping it all together. Powdered Vegetable Glycerine is a commonly used ingredient also which features as one of the primary ingredients in vape juice, which is used in pod vapes.
How much Nicotine is in Nicotine Pouches?
Nicotine Pouches come in varying different Nicotine strengths which gives you full flexibility on how weak or how strong you want the nicotine hit to be from the Pouch itself.
Low strength options are available from as low as 4mg nicotine strength, which is best suited for people who are new to using Nicotine Pouches and may have a low tolerance to Nicotine. I recommend starting out on a lower strength to get used to them to start off with, as it is a very different sensation compared to smoking or vaping which you previously may have done.
Medium strength options like 8mg are also available, which is a nice middle of the road strength suited for people who have started out on lower strength pouch and wanted to progress up for a stronger nicotine hit. DIP Nicotine Pouches come in a medium strength, and have a few different flavours to choose from.
Higher strength Nicotine Pouches are also available to buy and use, and I would only recommend these to be used if you have a higher tolerance for nicotine, and previously smoked cigarettes or vaped using higher nicotine strength vape juice. Strengths go right up to 14mg with some well-known brands of Nicotine Pouches.
Why do people choose to use Nicotine Pouches?
As mentioned at the start of this article, people are choosing to use Nicotine Pouches for their nicotine delivery for a multitude of reasons, and I’ll pick some of the most common reasons and explain why using Nicotine Pouches can benefit people in different ways.
- Smokeless & Vapourless – Using a Nicotine Pouch means you will not emit any form of smoke or vapour like you would if you smoked or used an E-Cigarette. This is helpful if you’re travelling on public transport, or out and about somewhere where smoking and electronic cigarette devices are prohibited from being used.
- Odourless – When using a Nicotine Pouch, not only does it not emit any smoke or vapour, it also does not emit any odour either. Nothing worse than having finished a cigarette and then smell of it lingering around on your clothes or on your breath. Even though Nicotine Pouches are flavoured, it doesn’t give off any aroma or linger on your breath.
- No Cancer Causing Ingredients – It’s fairly common knowledge that cigarettes contain a multitude of chemicals which normally harbour in the cigarette smoke that people will inhale into their lungs. There are a vast number of these chemicals which are proven to be cancer causing. But fear not, as none of these chemicals are found nor present in Nicotine Pouches so you can be at ease when using them knowing there’s no harm associated with them.
- Subtle and Discreet – Again, as mentioned, the design of Nicotine Pouches is purposefully done so that they are subtle and discreet when in place so they’re not noticeable by people around you, and also doesn’t cause any discomfort or inconvenience to you either. This is ideal if you want to use them while you’re working or in a social circle out and about as the people around you won’t even notice you’ve got one in place!
Is the Nicotine used harmful in any way?
One of the great misconceptions about Nicotine is that it is a harmful chemical and is one of the cancer causing chemicals that are found in cigarettes. However, this is wrong and merely a misconception by those who do not fully understand about Nicotine.
There’s no denying that it is a highly addictive chemical, but rest assured it is not harmful nor is it a cancer causing chemical, and there has not been proven evidence to show that it is harmful to the body in any way.
Do Nicotine Pouches contain tobacco?
A very common question asked by people about Nicotine Pouches is the one above, and it is a relatively easy one to answer…No, Nicotine Pouches do not contain any form of tobacco whatsoever.
What does contain tobacco is Snus pouches, which is an oral tobacco product. However, these were banned from sale in all countries within the European Union way back in the early 90s, and remain banned from sale to this date, including in the UK as well (despite not being part of the European Union)
Snus is sold in high volumes and is very popular in its native country of Sweden where it was originally founded and created, and by this, Sweden has achieved “smoke free” status as a country, with less than 5% of their adult population being cigarette smokers.
How do I use a Nicotine Pouch?
Finishing this article with a quick tutorial, I’ll explain the steps you need to take to use a Nicotine Pouch correctly, which are listed below;
- Open a tin, where nicotine pouches are stored.
- Take one nicotine pouch and place it under your upper lip.
- Make sure the nicotine pouch is firmly placed and doesn’t drop into your mouth.
- After 30-60min take the nicotine pouch out and throw it in the bin. There is also a lid on top of the tin, where you can place your used pouches.
And voila! It’s as easy as that. I hope this blog has helped answer any questions that you may have had about Nicotine Pouches and has given you a clear insight of what they are all about, as well as the safety of using them and how to use them also!
