As more and more people are throwing out the cigarettes, tobacco-free nicotine products are becoming the go-to option for many who still need a nicotine fix. One of these options you might consider is a nicotine pouch.
What are tobacco-free nicotine pouches?
As the name would suggest, tobacco-free nicotine pouches are pre-portioned pouches that contain synthetically derived nicotine. You get the nicotine without the harmful tobacco leaf, dust, or stem. Some refer to these as tobacco-free chew.
Much like chewing tobacco, you place the nicotine pouch in your mouth so there is no combustion involved. It’s placed between the upper lip and the gums. Once in place, the nicotine and flavor is released, giving you the same nicotine buzz as cigarettes, but without the smell or smoke.
Benefits of Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine pouches resolve some of the biggest issues that people have with cigarettes: the smoke and the smell. Because there is no combustion when you use a nicotine pouch, you won’t have smoke circling you. This makes it a great option, even when indoors or out in public.
You also won’t have that smoker smell. Every smoker has had the experience of walking inside after a cigarette and getting a few looks. With a nicotine pouch, your habit is kept private and you won’t draw the same attention.
Nicotine pouches are even competing with e-cigarettes as a preferred alternative to cigarettes. While e-cigarettes eliminate the smell of smoking, you still have a visible vapor and most contain tobacco derived nicotine. With a nicotine pouch, you can pop one in your mouth, no matter where you are.
Another important distinction to make between nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches don’t require a whole kit of accessories. While the e-cigarette liquid or juice can be cost effective, it requires a device that has to be charged and accessories to make for a great experience. With nicotine pouches, it’s as simple as buying the pouches, making your nicotine experience simple and inexpensive.
Vaping vs. Nicotine Pouches
Vaping has gotten some heat in the last couple years, especially after reports of seizures and the question of whether or not they are too attractive to young people. However, it’s still held as the most effective way to quit smoking. But it does come with some drawbacks.
Purchasing a device can be costly, with some of the mods that burn higher nicotine contents costing more than $80. They also require accessories and replacement parts, which can add up. Compare that to a can of nicotine pouches and cost can easily become a deciding factor for nicotine users.
Aside from that, vaping is getting political attention, with regulators and state legislators racing to restrict the sale and production of electronic cigarettes and the vape juice that goes with them. Some of the push for restrictions comes after the Food and Drug Administration released a report in 2019 of 35 seizures induced by vaping, most of which were younger users. Read more about PMTA’s here.
Vaping may eliminate the smell of smoking, but it still requires many users to step outside when they need a nicotine fix. Most places will consider it as smoking, meaning you can’t vape indoors in public places. With a nicotine pouch, this problem is eliminated completely.
Both of these options are being looked at as possibly the best way to quit smoking. Vaping involves the same sensory experience, exchanging vapor for smoke however. And nicotine pouches are being studied for their long-term effects in smoking cessation.
With 97% of 38 million smokers saying they want to quit, either of these are viable options to get to the point of eliminating cigarettes. The market for these non-tobacco processes is incredible.
Smoking Cessation
One of the best reasons to choose nicotine pouches as your nicotine fix is how effective they are as a smoking cessation aid. University of Louisville professor Brad Rodu praised the development, calling it “fantastic.”
“It’s a great opportunity for smokers who need a palate of products available to give them every opportunity to quit,” Rodu said.
In fact, Rodu’s 2017 analysis of smokers trying to quit in 2013 and 2014 showed that vaping was 43% more effective in getting people to stop versus quitting cold turkey and much higher than any other product, including prescription drugs. One of the most well-known prescription smoking cessation drugs is Chantix, which has come under some controversy because of the mental health side effects. Both vaping and nicotine pouches allow for a person to wean off of cigarettes without the risk of dangerous side effects.
Vaping has already shown to be more effective than over-the-counter smoking cessation aids and there is hope that nicotine pouches will soon prove to be the same.
