Nicotine pouches, also called modern oral nicotine products, are white pouches containing nicotine among other ingredients. They do not include tobacco leaf, dust, or stem. The nicotine may either be derived from tobacco plants or may be synthetic. Nicotine pouches are described as either similar to or a tobacco-free version of snus.
To use a nicotine pouch, the user puts a pouch between their lip and gum, and leaves it there while the nicotine and taste is being released. When finished, the pouch is disposed of. Many brands have a storage area in the top case (a catch lid) where used pouches can be kept if no trash can is readily available. The small pouches are not like chewing tobacco, as the user does not need to spit, since the contents of the pouches stay inside the pouches during use. No combustion is involved during use.
There is limited independent testing of the constituents, exposure, or biomarkers of effects for nicotine pouches, although independent research is now emerging. The pouches are sold in an array of flavors. Many of the brands of nicotine pouches are made by major big tobacco companies (e.g., Swedish Match makes Zyn and Volt, British American Tobacco makes Lyft and Velo, Imperial Tobacco makes Skruf and ZoneX, Japan Tobacco International makes Nordic Spirit, Philip Morris International makes Shiro, and Altria owns 100% of On!). In December 2020 and April 2021, Altria subsidiaries closed transactions to acquire the remaining 20% of the global On! business for a total of approximately $250 million.
Usage
While relatively new, nicotine pouches share similarities with Swedish snus. The first pouch product was developed in the beginning of the 2000 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 (ZYN, Shiro, Swave etc) 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. Nicotine pouches typically cost about as much as a pack of regular cigarettes. 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.
Contents
In addition to nicotine, the 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. Nicotine pouches are sold in an array of flavors, such as peppermint, black cherry, coffee and citrus, among many others. The nicotine content among nicotine pouch brands typically varies from 1 mg/pouch to 10 mg/pouch although some have much more. Nicotine pouches usually have a longer shelf-life than traditional snus.
Research
Nicotine pouches contain the addictive chemical nicotine. Nicotine has widespread effects on the body and may contribute to some disorders. Nicotine should be avoided in pregnancy.
While nicotine is not a carcinogen according to the IARC monograph, a meta-analysis paper by members of Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, India, state that nicotine may be carcinogenic and has widespread adverse effects on many systems of the body. According to the Royal College of Physicians nicotine in itself is not a highly hazardous drug. RCP also states that it is unlikely that nicotine itself contributes significantly to the mortality or morbidity caused by smoking, and that if nicotine could be delivered to smokers without smoke, most, if not all of the harm of smoking can probably be avoided.