Smoke-free, odor-free, anytime and anywhere, maximum convenience, and rapidly increasing popularity. These are the characteristics of the ingenious nicotine pouches, which have soared in popularity in recent years. It’s no surprise, given their numerous advantages and far fewer disadvantages compared to traditional smoking.
Disclaimer:Â All information provided in this text is for educational purposes only. The purpose of the article is in no way to entice and encourage anyone to abuse any addictive substances. The text is not intended for persons under the age of 18. Nicotine pouches contain nicotine which is highly addictive.
The history of this seemingly modern trend dates back several hundred years. Sweden boasts the origin of this practice, known as “snus” since time immemorial. While snus paved the way for the development of nicotine pouches, the original form of this Swedish “discovery” was less attractive. It essentially involved chewing tobacco, which was neither fragrant nor tasty – a stark contrast to today’s nicotine pouches.
Snus (Source: Pixabay)
What are the world-famous nicotine pouches and how do they work?
In the 21st century, almost everyone has become familiar with pouches containing nicotine. Essentially, they are small pillows that are placed in the mouth, releasing nicotine and various flavors. They offer a more practical alternative to traditional smoking, as they eliminate smoke and odor and also various restrictions. They have a number of other advantages that we will introduce below.
Read more: Chewing tobacco, Snus & Nicotine pouches: The differences
Velo Nicotine Pouches (Source: Unsplash)
The composition of the pouches is not particularly complex. Essentially, the main ingredient is nicotine and flavor in the form of various sweeteners. A large part of the pouch is also filled with water and microcrystalline cellulose.Â
However, it’s important to note that the specific composition can vary between brands and products. Some may contain additional ingredients or different types of flavorings and fillers.
How to use nicotine pouches? And what is their impact on the body?
The very use of nicotine pouches is among their great advantages. It is maximally simple and practical. You take the pouch out of the package and simply place it under your upper lip. You can have it in your mouth for 20-45 minutes and enjoy the pleasure of nicotine without unnecessary smoke and odor. But how do they affect our body?
Nicotine sachets: Illustrative image
Nicotine pouches, or rather nicotine, dissolve in the mucous membrane of the mouth and are absorbed. Then it binds to brain receptors, which release dopamine and induce a pleasant feeling similar to that after a cigarette. The onset of the effect is very fast and may last much longer than after normal smoking of a cigarette.
What are the benefits of nicotine pouches?
There are indeed many advantages. Let’s start from the ground up and try to summarize them all.
1. They are smoke and odor-free.
Which is truly an invaluable plus. They have the same, often even better, effect as smoking a cigarette, and you don’t have to worry about smelling of smoke from a mile away.
Smoke (Source: Pexels)
2. High nicotine absorption
At the same time, they provide comfortable nicotine absorption not only for you but also for your surroundings, which you won’t bother with a cloud of not exactly enticing cigarette smoke.
3. Nicotine pouches are extremely practical
Besides being easy to use, a huge advantage is also their use under any circumstances and wherever you are. Simply put the pouch in your mouth and enjoy a pleasant moment for yourself. You don’t have to restrict yourself to finding places designated for smokers, you don’t have to stand outside in the cold or rain to enjoy a dose of nicotine.
4. You can enjoy them at home, on public transport, in the office, or on a long plane journey
At the same time, thanks to discreet use, you can keep this nicotine pleasure entirely to yourself.
5. They are available in various strengths and flavors
Yes, today we are used to having a really wide choice. And this applies to nicotine pouches too. In addition to various flavors, they are also available in different strengths or potencies. It’s up to you to decide how much nicotine is right for a perfect moment of relaxation.
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6. Nicotine pouches don’t damage teeth like cigarettes do
It might sound almost unbelievable, especially considering the sweetness of some flavors, but yes, you don’t have to worry about cavities or deteriorating dental health like with cigarette smoking. The substances that give the pouches their delightful flavor don’t come from sugar, but from artificial sweeteners, which pose almost no risk in the formation of dental cavities.
Teeth (Source: Pexels)
7. Health risk considerations
Last but not least, there are lower health risks compared to regular smoking. Logically, the lungs are protected from harmful smoke, burning, or combustion of various substances in this case. However, we must note here that nicotine sachets also have their own risks, as they contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance. Nicotine intake, in any form, carries its own set of risks.
8. Nicotine pouches can help with quitting smoking
Primarily, you can gradually reduce doses not only by the number of pouches themselves but also by choosing a package with a lower nicotine content. Thus, you can gradually, without the initial shock of immediate nicotine exclusion, quit smoking. However, it’s important to recognize that they are not a guaranteed method for cessation and can still perpetuate nicotine addiction.
Smoking (Source: Pexels)
What are the disadvantages of nicotine pouches?
Although there are countless advantages when comparing to tradiotional smoking, every coin has two sides, and nothing is just black or white. Therefore, it should be noted that using nicotine pouches is not completely without health risks.Â
It’s important to realize that nicotine pouches contain not only nicotine but also various other substances that can have adverse effects on the body. Of course, one of the biggest disadvantages is nicotine itself. Don’t forget that nicotine is an addictive substance that causes dependency.
Traditional smoking has a very long history before it evolved into the form we see in the 21st century. Modern technologies and increasing inventiveness have reflected not only in innovations like electronic cigarettes but also in “chewing tobacco”.
The most popular brands of nicotine pouches
The last few words on nicotine pouches
Nicotine pouches provide quick absorption of nicotine, a countless number of flavors to choose from, various amounts of nicotine content, lesser health risks, universal use in almost any situation, and the possibility of using them both outdoors and indoors.
However, it’s always important to be aware of all the health risks, as nicotine is an addictive substance that causes dependency. Moreover, nicotine pouches also contain various chemical additives, which can also harm health.
Further information
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/jul/27/not-snuff-not-snout-snus
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-023-6383-7
https://www.snusdirect.com/blog/the-history-of-nicotine-pouches
Read in other languages: Slovakia (Xmania.sk)
