​Snus Vs Nicotine Pouches

Snus and nicotine pouches have plenty in common. Both are smokeless products, both contain nicotine, and they’re often compared. It’s not surprising that many consumers confuse the two. But despite these apparent similarities, the two items are very different.

This article examines what snus and nicotine pouches are, before outlining how they differ in crucial aspects — including ingredients, flavours, and usage.

Snus vs Nicotine Pouches: History

Snus came before nicotine pouches. It’s a formulation of tobacco and other flavourings that originated in Sweden in the late 1800s.

First, it came in the form of “loose snus,” a ground powder. Later, portion snus emerged, which contains the snus within material pouches.

The first nicotine pouches emerged in the early 2000s, when a company called Niconovum invented them. Nicotine pouches come in sachets, which are generally white (there are a few exceptions, like COCO pouches) and made from plant fibres.

They may appear similar to portion snus at first glance. However, the crucial difference is that tobacco is an essential snus ingredient, while nicotine pouches are tobacco-free.

This quality allows users to enjoy the sensation of nicotine without tobacco’s side effects, and being tobacco-free also means nicotine pouches stay fresher for longer. This has seen them emerge as one of the most popular smokefree products on the market.

Are they used differently?

Users consume loose snus by placing it directly under the upper lip and gum.

Meanwhile, in the case of both portion snus and nicotine pouches, users put sachets under the upper lip.

In all cases, users then wait for the contents to release.

However, there are some differences in the experience provided by snus and nicotine pouches. Since nicotine pouches are free from tobacco, using them won’t stain the teeth or hands or cause bad breath.

This makes them a preferable choice for oral hygiene, and many people find them a more convenient option for public consumption.

Legal differences between snus and pouches

There are more limitations on the sale and use of snus across the world since it contains tobacco. The sale of snus is illegal in the European Union (with the exception of Sweden).

Therefore, when seeing an item for sale within Europe, assuming that it’s a nicotine pouch is a safe bet!

Snus vs Nicotine Pouches: Flavour ranges

Because tobacco is used in snus, it tends to dominate the taste. Traditional snus flavours are rich and deep, complemented by notes that are:

• Earthy
• Spicy
• Smoky
• Floral

However, alternative snus flavours have emerged. Some products opt for mint or fruit flavours, while others take inspiration from beverages like malt or whiskey.

Meanwhile, nicotine pouches come in a wide array of flavours.

Although there are a few options that emulate the darker, richer, tobacco-esque flavour of snus, the following taste profiles are more popular:

• Minty: Varies from mildly sweet mint to extreme cooling menthol notes.
• Fruity: Includes everything from tart summer berries to delicious tropical fruits.
• Liquorice: Can be salty, sweet, bitter, or a mixture of all three.
• Coffee: Has the dark, smooth, rich flavour of the globally popular beverage.
• Spicy: Contains ingredients like cinnamon and chilli.

Some nicotine pouches even combine different flavour categories. For instance, they may fuse mint with fruits. For instance, FIX Blueberry Ice contains both menthol and a sweet blueberry flavour.

Snus vs Nicotine Pouches: Strength

In the case of both snus and nicotine pouches, strength can vary widely between products.

Standard snus products have a nicotine strength between 6 to 10 mg/g, but the strongest snus options may contain 43 mg/g or more.

The most common nicotine pouch strengths are between 3 mg and 8 mg per pouch. Yet one of the stronger options is VELO Mighty Peppermint, which contains 17 mg per pouch. Some products have even higher strengths!

Snus vs Nicotine Pouches: A Summary

The main similarities between snus and nicotine pouches are that:

• Both portion snus and nicotine pouches come in sachets
• Both products come packaged in cans
• Both are consumed by placing them under the upper lip

The key differences are that:

• Only snus contains tobacco
• Nicotine pouches have a longer shelf life (one year vs 20-30 weeks)
• Nicotine pouches come in a wider variety of flavours

The table below summarises key details on the two products.

Some Final Clarifications

It’s worth noting that some of the fields in the table vary significantly between different brands and products.

For instance, nicotine release and longevity mostly depend on the moisture level and pH of the product.

Nicotine pouches generally have a higher moisture content and pH than snus, resulting in a faster but less long-lasting release of contents. However, some nicotine pouches have dry contents.

Also, portion snus can take the form of white portions or brown portions. White portions — the most popular options — are drier and fresher than brown portions.

Let’s Sum It Up…

Nicotine pouches are a tobacco-free, fresher, and more hygienic alternative to snus, and they also come in a wider range of flavours. All of this has helped them become the most popular smokeless product.

Since snus can’t be legally bought in the European Union outside of Sweden, most people don’t need to memorise the differences to know which product they’re dealing with.