How Do Nicotine Pouches Work?

Picture 1 of How Do Nicotine Pouches Work?

Image from Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC.

Since their release in the market in the early 2000s, another modern form of NRT has been gaining popularity among many younger smokers. This is the nicotine pouch, which CSP found 29% of smoking adults are aware of. These are sold alongside gums and patches at convenience stores — with examples of popular brands including Velo from Winston-Salem and Rogue from Jacksonville — and can also be found online.

Let's take a closer look at these pouches and examine how they work below.

What are nicotine pouches made of?

Nicotine pouches come in colorful packaging that resembles mint containers. Inside, users may find several white pre-portioned pouches that contain a primary combination of nicotine, water, flavorings, sweeteners, and plant-based fibers.

This is a simplified list when compared to the substantial number of chemicals in an electronic cigarette. Our previous write-up Is Electronic Cigarette Smoking Toxic? explained how tobacco essential oils in e-cigarettes have many types and origins. Many companies also arbitrarily mix these together, so it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what ingredients these e-cigarettes contain.

On the other hand, nicotine pouches from reputable sources tend to go through extensive quality control. The Zyn nicotine pouches available on Prilla contain 100% tobacco-free nicotine salt, which has been carefully extracted and purified using high-tech distillation procedures. On the other hand, VELO's nicotine pouches are made with nicotine that is derived directly from the tobacco plant, meaning they are tobacco-leaf-free products.

These ensure that only the highest quality nicotine enters the body for a pure and sugar-free nicotine experience.

How is nicotine absorbed?

The usage of the nicotine pouch is similar to chewing tobacco, wherein the pouch is tucked between the gum and upper lip. The nicotine will slowly release within a span of 45 minutes to one hour and become absorbed through the oral mucosa.

Because nicotine is absorbed through the gums, your respiratory organs gain a reprieve. Many users report breathing and lung problems from Juul use because of how the nicotine vapor is absorbed through the lungs. Studies have also identified acetals, chemicals that are especially irritating to the lungs, in some Juul e-cigarette liquids.

While nicotine pouches can cause some gum discomfort to the novice user, this can be easily mitigated with practice. Users can experiment with the pouch's placement in the mouth and acclimate their gums through time.

Benefits of nicotine pouches

Nicotine pouches are hailed for their convenience. They can be easily purchased online and in convenience stores and can just as easily be used in public places and disposed of in the trash. Even nicotine gum has to be responsibly enveloped in paper before being thrown in the bin.

Nicotine pouches also come in a variety of flavors. Classic flavors include mint and fruity zest, but there are also flavorless options that make for a cleaner way to enjoy nicotine. This is especially helpful when traveling to countries or states with a local flavor ban on nicotine or tobacco products.

How to get started?

Those new to nicotine pouches can kick off with the lowest dosage or the 2mg products and build up from there. Many use nicotine pouches for cessation purposes; however, with NIDA explaining how NRT increases quit rates by 50-70%. For cessation, it's best to start with a dosage that is closest to your current intake of nicotine and slowly work your way downwards to wean your body off its nicotine dependence. Try experimenting with a combination of another NRT, such as nicotine patches, as well.

With nicotine pouches, users can experience a cleaner way to enjoy nicotine at their own pace. Give it a try, and it may become a new and better staple in your nicotine habits.

Micah Soto

Update 25 November 2022