But buying online provides a more convenient experience, while sticking with the same retailer most of the time makes it possible to customise the checkout process. Below are seven reasons why choosing SnusDirect and becoming a member just makes sense.

1. Benefit from Rewards

SnusDirect Rewards allows consumers to earn points when they purchase products.

Buying one can yields one point, while purchasing one roll results in ten points.

After accumulating enough points, the user can redeem them for free gifts.

Users who earn 50 points are eligible to claim either a nicotine pouch can or candy. Meanwhile, users who build up 100 points can choose a free roll (in other words, buying 10 rolls means receiving one free roll).

Redeeming a gift couldn’t be simpler — when a member has earned enough points, a link will appear during the checkout process automatically, prompting them to claim their free gift.

The more nicotine pouches (and other tobacco-free products) a consumer buys, the more they stand to lose from not capitalising on purchases by joining a rewards scheme.

But it’s only possible to earn rewards by creating an account, so being logged in when making purchases is essential!

2. Receive Personal Offers

Buying smokeless products online often means getting them at a better price than those found in physical retailers. But joining our Reward Scheme offers the chance for further discounts!

SnusDirect members have the chance to opt into our mailing list, which regularly sends exclusive codes that offer additional discounts on orders.

These are different offers from the promotions anyone can access on the site, so being a member is the only way to benefit.

3. Gain Insider Info and Discounts

Personal discount offers aren’t the only thing newsletter subscribers benefit from. We also send information about promotions we’re running. While anyone can access these discounts, being a subscriber ensures users won’t have to visit our Special Offers page every day to avoid missing out.

Our mailing list also provides updates about new blog posts. While it’s possible to manually check our blog every day to see if we’ve added any new posts, being a subscriber saves you time and effort.

The blog provides insider info on nicotine pouches and the market, including:

• Guides to the best brands and flavours
• Industry trends and news
• Tips on how to use products most effectively

And don’t worry — we don’t spam our members. The blog is updated every 1-2 weeks, while we run special offers every now and then.

4. Learn about New Products

The market for nicotine pouches and tobacco-free snus is fast-moving. As a result, new products are always being launched — often sporting innovative flavours or pouch technology.

For instance, VELO’s Icy Cherry offers a pioneering combination of cherries, berries, and a frosty flavour. Meanwhile, STRÖM Gingery Liquorice fuses the spiciness of ginger with the bitterness of liquorice (plus a little apple).

For consumers who want to keep their finger on the pulse, or those who get bored with the same old flavours, joining the mailing list is the best way to stay in the know.

5. Enjoy a Faster Checkout

Buying products from the same online retailer every time means not having to enter personal and card details whenever making a purchase.

Having these items readily saved facilitates a faster, effortless shipping experience.

SnusDirect even lets customers store multiple shipping addresses, which can be managed from the “account” page.

6. Reorder Favourites

For the ultimately fast checkout, it’s even possible to “reorder” items on our site.

SnusDirect has a handy “reorder” button, which allows users to pick from past orders they’ve made and copy the order, making it possible to order the same items at the push of a button.

This takes just a few seconds, and it’s a must for customers who already have their rotation products sorted!

7. Track Orders Easily

For many people, the worst part of ordering online is waiting for an item to arrive. After deliberating over which delicious flavour to buy, nobody wants to be left in the dark about whether it’s left the warehouse yet or when they can expect it to arrive.

SnusDirect members can track orders easily by heading to their account dashboard.

Sign Up Today

There’s nothing to lose from becoming a SnusDirect member. But failing to join means missing our best offers, features, and the chance to get free products.

Why not create an account and test out the features outlined above? After all, it’s always possible to unsubscribe from our mailing list later, and joining our membership program isn’t a commitment to buy any products.

Do Nicotine Pouches Have a Shelf Life?

Like many other consumables, nicotine pouches have a shelf life or expiration/best-before date. However, unlike other consumables, they do not spoil the same, and their shelf life is much longer.

The average shelf life of a nicotine pouch is around a year from production, and can be as much as two years from production.

To discover the product's expiration date, simply look at the underside of the can, and the date will be in the format as follows - DD/MM/YYYY. Usually, the first date is the production date, and the second is the best-before.

What Factors Affect Nicotine Pouch Expiration?

The longevity of products can be affected in many ways. In the case of nicotine pouches, influencing factors include:

• The moisture content
• Storing conditions

How nicotine pouches are stored may be an obvious influencing factor and one explored further below, but the moisture content may come as a surprise. The moister your nicopod, the shorter its shelf life will be.

How To Store Nicotine Pouches Properly?

The longevity of many different products can be influenced by how they are stored. Items can be kept fresher for longer by storing consumables in optimum conditions, whether it be keeping vegetables in the fridge or unripe fruit away from ripened fruit. Every product has its needs for longevity. In the case of storing nicotine pouches:

Keep nicotine pouches in a cool and dry place out of direct sunlight. Avoid moisture and humidity, and keep them sealed in their original packaging. For extra protection, place them in an air-tight container.

For products that are used daily, a cupboard, bag, or shelf is fine. But if that can isn’t getting used for a few months, storing them in the fridge or freezer is a way to keep them fresher for longer.

Are Expired Nicotine Pouches Harmful?

Out-of-date food and drink are not consumed because they pose health risks, but nicotine pouches are not the same because they aren’t swallowed and aren’t harmful to use past their expiration date. However, it is important to note that the experience provided may be a little underwhelming. Therefore, if you have a few portions left in the can, it’s not the end of the world. But if a whole can has gone, it may be best to bin it.

How Do You Know If Nicotine Pouches Are Out of Date?

Other than the obvious one, expiration date, there are ways in which out-of-date pouches will differ from fresh ones. The ways in which nicopods will change as their shelf life dissipates include:

• A weak flavour experience and nicotine sensation.
• No or little aroma.
• Dry-to-touch portions which can irritate the gum.

Now the factors of an expired nicotine pouch are known, keep them in mind and apply them if you find a can of nicopods behind the sofa or on the far side of a shelf. They’re not harmful, but the experience provided may be underwhelming.

To Begin: Examine Nicotine Usage

The first thing one should do when managing their nicotine intake is to be conscious of how many nicotine pouches one uses. From this, a statistic, the number of nicopods used per day, week, or month, is realised.

• Count the number of nicotine pouch cans used per week or portions per day, and record this number.

The importance of doing so is to examine the extent of nicotine intake and whether it needs to be managed. If so, the figure provides a starting point that can be referred to in the future, showing progress if it is made.

Identify Triggers and Habits

The next step involves identifying specific cues that elicit nicotine pouch use. By knowing the different environments and events that prompt nicotine intake, a conscious effort can be made to manage them and your nicotine consumption.

A common trigger for users could be the pub, when out with friends, after a meal, or with an alcoholic beverage.

Many of these cues elicit nicotine use for many people across Europe, and once they are recognised, nicotine consumption is much easier to manage.

Set Achievable Goals

Once the identification of nicotine consumption and triggers is complete, goals then need to be set. The reason for setting a goal is to mark an endpoint or a desired destination.

An example: reduce the number of nicotine pouches used in a day from 10 to 5.

Goals will differ between users as they are specific to the individual's desires, whether that’s to maintain nicotine consumption, reduce the number of nicotine pouches consumed a week, not use nicotine when triggers are present, enjoy a milder product, or remove nicotine from your diet. So, set an endpoint and go from there.

Is Cutting Nicotine Intake Difficult?

Nicotine is an addictive substance, meaning that reducing your nicotine intake may be tricky, and cravings may be present.

When nicotine enters your body, it stimulates presynaptic nicotinic Acetylcholine receptors in the brain, increasing the amount of Acetylcholine (Ach) released, which stimulates other systems in the brain, including the dopaminergic system. This increase in activity results in changes in the brain, altering the tolerance and sensitisation to nicotine, Ach, and dopamine. Cravings occur when the nicotine intake is lowered because of the brain’s desensitisation to nicotine, which is due to the high amounts previously used.

Tips for Nicotine Pouch Users

Many nicotine pouch users use potent products, becoming dependent in some cases, and can benefit from managing their nicotine intake. Nicotine pouches are far easier to manage nicotine intake because of the range of nicotine pouches available. Below are a couple of useful tips for those wanting to reduce or manage their nicotine intake.

Try A Lower Strength

Many strengths are available, and unless a nicopod is used with less than 3 mg per pouch, there’s a milder one available. Many brands offer a range of strengths, so take it little by little. If you use an Extra Strong product with 10 mg of nicotine per pouch, take it down to 8 mg, and so on. Some of the more popular regular to mild strength products include:

• ZYN Cool Mint Mini - A minty pouch with 3mg of nicotine.
• VELO Spiffy Spearmint - A spearmint profile with 4mg of nicotine per sachet.
• On! Mint 6 - Has a balanced mint-tasting nicopod for those wanting regular strength.

Explore Nicotine-Free Pouches

Furthermore, using nicotine-free products as well as nicotine pouches is another method some use to reduce nicotine intake. Cravings may subside by using a familiar product without the nicotine. Some of the more popular nicotine-free brands include:

• WAKEY Energy Pouches - substitute nicotine with caffeine.
• VELO Zero - supply the same tasting experiences without the nicotine.

Advocating Normal Usage: Don’t Chase the Nicotine Rush

At Snusdirect, we advocate for normal nicotine pouch usage, whereby customers buy regular-strength nicopods and use them when needed. Buying extra-strong nicotine pouches and using them to chase a nicotine rush is not advised, and this is where problems occur, and managing nicotine intake may have to become a conscious effort.

This is where this guide comes in handy, highlighting ways in which nicotine intake can be controlled, monitored, and lessened. More so for those who use high-strength products.

Nicotine is naturally found in many plants, including tobacco and vegetables like potatoes. It’s an alkaloid that has been used for hundreds of years through tobacco use. As of recent, nicotine has begun to be isolated from tobacco and produced synthetically, used in tobacco-free products due to the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Nicotine is the substance in the likes of nicotine pouches, vapes, and cigarettes, responsible for the “pleasant” feeling caused by said products. This is enabled by nicotine interacting with the brain, leading to the release of dopamine - increasing activity in the “pleasure centre”.

Understanding Metabolism

Metabolism isn’t as simple as one substance. It’s a network of different bodily systems and serves one function - converting what you drink and eat into energy. This term describes an essential process in the body that fuels your day-to-day life. It connects many cellular pathways involved in converting food into energy, building up energy stores and breaking them down to free up energy. But how is this connected with your appetite, and how does nicotine affect this string of pathways?

What Factors Affect Metabolism?

Everyone's metabolism is different and is affected by multiple factors. As stated above, your metabolism defines a network of pathways that convert what we eat to energy, and because of the pathways involved, there are many stages at which factors can influence it.

Some of these factors that influence our metabolism include:

• In some cases, the bigger you are and the more muscle you have, the higher your metabolic rate.
• As we age, our metabolism slows, and, on average, men have faster metabolisms.
• Certain genes have a heavy influence on the rate of metabolism.
• When ill, our metabolism increases as more energy is needed to elicit an immune response.
• This increases the energy we need and, in turn, increases our metabolic rate, even when resting.
• If on a crash diet or fasting, little energy can be harvested from a small amount of food, so our body reduces our metabolism in response.
• Increase our metabolic rate, like caffeine and nicotine.

These are only a handful of different factors that can alter one's metabolic rate. But as stated above, drugs have an effect, some of which include caffeine and, more importantly, nicotine.

How Does Your Metabolism Affect Your Appetite?

Individuals' metabolism can vary as it can be quicker or slower than others, and your appetite depicts how hungry you are and, in turn, the amount you eat. A study has shown that

The higher your resting metabolic rate (RMR), the hungrier you are and the more you eat.

However, this is just a correlation, and other factors affect hunger, highlighting that this isn’t a single cause-and-effect relationship but a string of interconnected substances and pathways.

How does Nicotine Affect Your Metabolism and Appetite?

Research has shown that nicotine can increase your metabolic rate and, as a result, you can burn calories faster when using products like cigarettes and nicotine pouches. However, there is no conclusive evidence of nicotine affecting your appetite.

So, if nicotine doesn’t increase your appetite, why do so many put weight on when they stop using nicotine?

The answer is simple. When we stop our nicotine intake, in some cases, our metabolism reduces, meaning we burn fewer calories. So, by inferring, if we eat and exercise the same amount as when we used nicotine, fewer calories will be burnt, meaning we may gain weight. However, the extremity of this weight gain will differ between individuals, and some may not experience it at all.

Do Nicotine Pouches Have These Effects on Your Metabolism and Appetite?

Nicotine pouches do contain nicotine. Therefore, the effects of this alkaloid mentioned above should also be present in nicotine pouches. Although no research has directly investigated the effects of nicotine pouches on metabolism and appetite, we can infer that they can have the same effect in some cases.

Do stronger nicotine pouches affect your metabolism more?

In theory, if nicotine speeds up your metabolism, the more that’s in your system, the faster your metabolism. So, the stronger nicotine pouches may have a more profound effect on your metabolism and appetite. However, there will be a ceiling to this, and these effects will differ between users.

The Take Home Message

All the information above is a lot to digest. Still, it can simplified into the bullet points below, providing the fundamentals needed to understand nicotine, metabolism, appetite, and how they are related and affect one another.

• Metabolism is the process of converting what you eat into energy and can be affected by many factors.
• Nicotine can increase an individual's metabolic rate, so (in theory) more calories can be consumed, and the individual's weight may remain the same - in most cases.
• People’s metabolism differs. Some need more calories than others to maintain weight.
• However, each individual is different, and the effects of nicotine aren’t universal.

This topic isn’t fully understood as metabolism is a complex process, and many pathways within our metabolism can be affected. So, nicotine may not be the only factor contributing to the change in your metabolism.

While Sweden has always been the home of most manufacturing, the increased popularity of nicotine pouches worldwide means production has expanded further. Let’s take a tour across the world to see which other countries are responsible for making the best nicotine pouches.

Swedish Nicotine Pouches

The history of nicotine pouches traces back to Sweden. Before nicotine pouches existed, there was snus: a formulation of tobacco and other flavours that Swedes have consumed since the early eighteenth century.

However, snus had a few disadvantages, such as staining the teeth and causing bad breath. Nicotine pouches emerged as an alternative — unlike snus, they’re tobacco-free, making them a better choice for oral hygiene.

Since snus was primarily produced and consumed in Sweden, it stands to reason that the first producers and consumers of nicotine pouches would also be Swedish.

Nicotine pouches have recently experienced a surge in global demand — in 2023, the US was the biggest nicotine pouches consumer in the world (followed by Sweden, Denmark, Pakistan, and Austria).

But despite consumption spreading across the continents, most manufacturing still happens in Sweden, and the label “made in Sweden” has come to be synonymous with “quality.”

Swedish nicotine pouch brands

Pick a nicotine pouch at random, and chances are that it was made in Sweden.

For instance, Swedish company Winnington AB was the original manufacturer of the market-leading nicotine pouch brand VELO. While British American Tobacco (BAT) is VELO’s new owner and VELO now has multiple factories, it continues to base its operations in the Nordic nation.

Some other popular nicotine pouch brands that carry out their manufacturing in Sweden include:

• Swave (made in the Island of Gotland)
• White Fox
• Skruf
• Loop
• HIT
• VALØ

Finland

As Sweden’s neighbour, it’s unsurprising that nicotine pouch production and consumption spread to Finland.

The “Land of a Thousand Lakes” is home to the nicotine pouch brand Puff and Pouch, a family business based in Helsinki. Puff and Pouch emphasises production standards and premium materials, proving that “Finnish quality” is in no way inferior to “Swedish quality” when it comes to nicotine pouch brands.

Denmark

Fellow Scandinavian country Denmark is the third-largest market for nicotine pouch consumption, and it’s also home to a few nicotine pouch manufacturers.

One of them is the Ministry of Snus, which produces the popular Ace nicotine pouches. Denmark has a reputation for being a forward-thinking country, so it’s a fitting home for the quirky manufacturer. Ministry of Snus was founded on the principles of providing “one ministry for all” and giving a voice to its customers to ensure it provides a product people want.

Another Danish brand is WAKEY, which produces nicotine-free pouches that contain caffeine, therefore giving users an energy boost. While WAKEY isn’t technically a nicotine pouch manufacturer, its nicotine-free approach proves that countries outside of Sweden are now at the forefront of innovation.

Poland

While most nicotine pouch brands come from Nordic countries, there are exceptions. For instance, 77 nicotine pouches (77 is a brand name, not a number) are made in Poland.

77 pouches are manufactured at the Tobacco Concept Factory, which has existing experience in oral tobacco products. The brand applies Swedish quality standards to ensure its production is top-notch.

77 is pushing the boundaries with its innovative products and deserves to be known for more than just being a nicotine pouch brand that manufactures its products outside of Scandinavia. Its pouches offer completely invisible usage, and they come in a vast array of flavours, from 77 Cola & Vanilla to 77 Black Currant.

Estonia

Estonia has a tiny population of just over one million, making it the smallest nation on this list. But that hasn’t stopped it from making its mark on the world of nicotine pouches!

Showing that the Baltic nations can also do nicotine pouches well as the Nordics is the Estonian brand NOIS. The company’s manufacturer, HRJ Production OÜ, is based in Tallinn and follows strict quality control standards. Its delicious taste profiles demonstrate this firsthand, with both fruity and mint flavours on offer.

USA

Nicotine pouches might be a relatively new phenomenon in the US, but that hasn’t stopped the country from catching up fast.

ZYN nicotine pouches are hugely popular in the US, selling 350 million products in 2023. Although ZYN was originally made by Swedish Match in Sweden, its surge in popularity across the Atlantic has made it efficient for ZYN to carry out some of its production in the US.

ZYN has opened a factory in Kentucky to make nicotine pouches for the US market (although ZYN still carries out production in Sweden too).

Sample the World

At their heart, nicotine pouches are a Swedish product, and the majority of products are still made in Sweden or its Nordic neighbours.

But whether you want to follow tradition by sticking to Swedish nicotine pouches or experiment with products made in other countries, there’s never been more choice.

What factors affect nicotine pouch sustainability?

Nicotine pouch sustainability is affected by several variables, including the customer's education and how they dispose of the product. But here, the focus is on the company producing the nicotine pouches, not the consumer actions. In turn, the key factors that affect the impact a nicotine pouch-producing company has on the environment include:

• Manufacturing process - what energy powers such processes
• Material composition - of both pouch and can
• Transportation - to and from the production facility

Each of these factors is explored in greater detail, along with other comparisons and key points of interest, supplying all the information needed on the environmental impact of nicotine pouches.

Are sustainable manufacturing processes used?

Nicotine pouches are made in mostly automated factories powered by electricity. Like anything that uses electricity, if not from a sustainable source, carbon dioxide is emitted, adding to the growing amount of greenhouse gases. This is a problem in every walk of life, from entertainment to travel to producing all kinds of consumables. However, some companies are combatting this by using renewable energy.

Powering production with renewable energy

A prime example of using a renewable energy source is Nordic Snus AB, a manufacturer of popular Swedish Snus brands. Its facility is an old mill, renovated in 2000, and it uses hydropower to fuel its snus production. And other companies do something similar.

What are nicotine pouches and their cans made from?

The materials used are another factor affecting pouch sustainability. These affect the environment as how they are sourced, harvested, and degraded is important when considering sustainability. The material may not be biodegradable, ethically farmed, or sourced from an environmentally friendly farm. All of which impacts the end product's carbon footprint.

Biodegradable plant fibres

Nicotine pouches are viewed as more sustainable because they use biodegradable fibres. However, the entire nicotine pouch isn’t biodegradable as the sachets are made from a different material, unlike the contents. Many brands use different plant materials for their contents, but the majority use:

Cellulose, along with Pine and/or Eucalyptus

COCO nicotine pouches take this an extra step by using a completely different material, never used before. This brand uses coconut fibres, creating an even more natural and less refined product for you to enjoy.

Another Snus Factory’s PlantCan

It's not only pouch material that matters, as the container is part of the deal, too. Unlike the sachets, mostly made from biodegradable and food-grade materials - the container is not. Some cans are made from non-recyclable plastic, even though this is a small few. But one company has taken this an extra step.

Another Snus Factory houses its nicotine pouch brands in its trademarked PlantCan, created from plant-based plastic with pine tree oil gathered from the waste material of the foresting industry.

The two nicotine pouch brands that use this revolutionary PlantCan are LOOP nicotine pouches and their new venture as of 2024, Lynx nicotine pouches.

Offsetting the carbon footprint caused by shipping

One way nicotine pouches increase their carbon footprint is through shipping, especially with international orders. As well as shipping the final product, businesses use materials transported from different places to create the nicotine pouch. All of which produce and release CO2, creating a carbon footprint. A way to combat this is through offsetting it.

A popular way to combat this is by planting trees, which ultimately helps reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. A big company that does this is JTI and the producers of WAKEY pouches, who are planting around 10000 trees in the Saltofte Gods in Denmark, providing a source to sequester the CO2 produced by shipping its products.

Which brands have the best environmentally friendly focus?

Many nicotine pouch brands are created by the same company and the majority of these businesses have an environmental focus, with some doing more than others. Below, a few are named with the brands of nicotine pouches they produce, allowing you to see the brands with a positive stance on sustainability as well as those mentioned above.

British American Tobacco - a sustainable mindset for "A Better Tomorrow"

British American Tobacco (BAT) is a multinational tobacco company that has moved its sustainability focus to the forefront of the business. Benefitting from this is one of the most popular nicotine pouch brands on the market, VELO nicotine pouches. BAT aims to address climate change and has set certain targets, including:

• Make all its plastic packaging reusable, recyclable, or compatible by 2025.
• Its energy used to be 50% renewable by 2030.
• Be a carbon-neutral business by 2030.

With these aims, BAT shows how focused it is on reducing its carbon footprint and making its nicotine pouch brands, like VELO, as sustainable as possible.

Altria - using a science-based target initiative to achieve Net Zero

Altria is a major American corporation that sells tobacco, cigarettes, and related products like nicotine pouches. It has a firm stance on climate change and states that ‘humans are the primary cause and inaction is not an option’. This strong stance on the matter has led the company to want to be powered by 100% renewable electricity.

If so, then the nicotine pouch brands it manufactures, such as On! Nicotine pouches will be made with renewable energy in 2030, reducing the impact of the brand on the environment.

How does nicotine pouch sustainability fair against cigarettes?

With all the information above, nicotine pouches are becoming a more sustainable option. How do they compare with products like cigarettes? Tobacco is still needed for nicotine pouches as nicotine is extracted from the leaf, meaning deforestation and water contamination caused by tobacco farming are relevant for both products. However, two key differences between these two products affect their environmental impact.

1. How they’re used
2. How they’re disposed

Below is the information needed to understand these factors’ effects on the environment and how they differ, providing the information you need to deduce which product affects the environment the most.

Does cigarette smoke contribute to increased CO2 levels?

The first difference is how they’re used. Cigarettes are smoked, unlike nicotine pouches, which release toxic chemicals when used, affecting both the environment and those around you. Smoking cigarettes increases air pollution, and once smoked, a single cigarette is responsible for the equivalent of 14 grams of CO2 emissions. This figure doesn't seem a lot, but if a pack a day was smoked for 50 years, that’s 5.1 million grams of CO2 emissions.

What’s the effect of cigarette butts?

Another difference is how they are used. Cigarettes are smoked, and once finished, you’re left with a butt made from a type of plastic that takes years to degrade. When bins are far away, cigarette buts are thrown on the floor and littered. Whereas nicotine pouches have a catch lid if a bin is not near, allowing you to dispose of them correctly when finished.

4.5 trillion cigarette butts are littered each year.

These butts end up in waterways, oceans, and streets, polluting many areas and contaminating them with the harmful chemicals, like arsenic, they are made from.

How can nicotine pouches become more eco-friendly?

The information shows there are clear steps that need to be taken for nicotine pouches to become more eco-friendly. These include:

1. Sachets need to be biodegradable
2. Nicotine needs to be made synthetically, not from the tobacco leaf
3. All cans must be fully recyclable, like the PlantCan

Once these steps have been undertaken, nicotine pouches will reduce their environmental impact as tobacco farming is a huge contributor to CO2 emissions, and not being biodegradable or recyclable tarnishes the product's sustainability.

1. Nicotine pouches contain tobacco

Nicotine is closely associated with smoking and cigarettes, so many people assume that nicotine pouches contain tobacco. Perhaps this is unsurprising when tobacco companies own various nicotine pouch brands — for instead, British American Tobacco produces VELO nicotine pouches.

In reality, nicotine pouches are a tobacco-free product. Their main ingredients are nicotine, flavouring, and plant-based fibres (used to make the pouches themselves).

2. You can’t use more than one nicotine product at once

There’s no reason you can’t use multiple types of nicotine products. Given the total amount of nicotine you consume is the same, there’s no difference between getting your nicotine intake from two nicotine pouches versus one nicotine pouch and one e-cigarette or nicotine patch.

However, this isn’t to say that you can consume nicotine products in unlimited quantities without consequences. It’s best to avoid using two or more products simultaneously.

3. Nicotine pouches are dangerous to swallow

Some people are nervous about placing nicotine pouches in their mouths as they believe that swallowing a pouch by accident could be dangerous.

Fortunately, most nicotine pouches are made from natural ingredients and plant fibres, so they won’t cause any serious harm if swallowed. While excessive amounts of nicotine pouches can lead to nicotine poisoning, swallowing a single pouch by accident is unlikely to cause the average person any issues.

4. You have to spit when using nicotine pouches

Chewing tobacco (also known as snuff) makes the mouth produce a lot of saliva, which users spit out since it’s unsafe to consume. Because nicotine pouches are also placed in the mouth, a common misconception is that users must also spit when consuming them.

However, this isn’t the case. Since nicotine pouches themselves are technically safe to swallow (although, you shouldn’t), there are no concerns with consuming the saliva they produce. Besides, while pouches result in some salivation, modern designs prevent excessive dripping. For instance, many nicotine pouches have dry contents, which results in a slower release with less messiness.

5. Snus and nicotine pouches are the same

Snus vs nicotine pouches is a common point of confusion. They’re both products that users place under the upper lip to consume, and they often have a similar appearance, but the two items aren’t interchangeable.

As mentioned, nicotine pouches are tobacco-free. Meanwhile, tobacco is a key ingredient in traditional Swedish snus. This means nicotine pouches are fresher, cause less staining, and come in a wider variety of flavours.

6. Nicotine pouches are illegal in the EU

Due to the confusion around snus and other nicotine products, some people believe nicotine pouches are illegal. The European Union has banned snus since 1992 (although Sweden is exempt), and the substance is also illegal in the United Kingdom.

However, the EU is primarily concerned with tobacco for oral use, which means nicotine pouches have the green light. There’s no EU-wide ban, although individual countries have taken action. For instance, the Netherlands has plans to prohibit them.

7. You must store nicotine pouches in the fridge

Everyone wants their favourite products to last as long as possible and retain their full flavour, and tobacco-based products are refrigerated since they’re perishable. Fortunately, you don’t need to refrigerate nicotine pouches — room temperature is fine.

This isn’t to say that nicotine pouches last forever. They will dry out eventually, so if you’re going to take a long time to finish a can, you may want to consider refrigeration.

8. There are no regulations for nicotine pouches

While some people think nicotine pouches are illegal, others go to the other extreme and think the industry is a kind of Wild West, exempt from regulations. This simply isn’t true. Different countries regulate differently, but many have regulations in place.

Plus, most companies go above and beyond for product safety.

9. Nicotine pouches are just for young people

When the average person thinks of nicotine pouches, they probably imagine a trendy youngster partaking in the “next big thing.” It’s true that many nicotine pouch users are on the young side, and many brands cater to this with bold, modern designs (such as the VELO Cinnamon Flame).

But does that mean that young people are the only ones using nicotine pouches? Absolutely not — all demographics have turned to the products for varying reasons. For instance, any older people who are long-term users of snus or cigarettes turn to nicotine pouches as a way to reduce consumption.

10. Nicotine pouches feel uncomfortable

If you’ve never used oral nicotine products before, the prospect of putting a pouch underneath your upper lip might sound uncomfortable. However, most pouches are made from soft materials that won’t irritate your gums and have a slim design that feels noninvasive.

You can also opt for mini nicotine pouches, which have an even smaller size.

To find out more about what this means, keep reading.

What will happen to my favourite product?

If one of VELO’s products is your go-to nicotine pouch, the last thing you want to hear is that the company is discontinuing the line.

The critical detail here is that only the names and branding are changing. Every aspect of their manufacturing will remain the same — VELO nicotine pouches will still be produced using British American Tobacco’s state-of-the-art facilities, and they will still contain the same stellar ingredients.

This may be slightly confusing initially, but we’ve included a table at the bottom of this article outlining each product's new and old name.

As for VELO’s new Sensation range, such as VELO Cinnamon Flame, the products will keep their existing designs.

When are the changes happening?

The rebrand is happening in two stages. Shortly after the January 2024 name changes, the most popular VELO nicotine pouches will feature cans with a peel-off sticker featuring the old name and design. Once you peel off the sticker, the new name and design will be underneath.

Other products will only switch over to the new branding later in 2024.

Why is VELO rebranding?

As a consumer, rebranding projects can seem like an unnecessary inconvenience. However, they’re common practice, from Twitter’s recent rebrand to X, or Facebook rebranding to Meta. This isn’t even VELO’s first rebrand — prior to 2022, VELO was known as LYFT.

A company may decide to undergo a rebrand for a few reasons, including:

• Targeting a new audience
• Complying with regulations
• Trading in a new country with different needs
• Reflecting changes made since the launch of the initial brand
• Shaking up outdated branding

In VELO’s case, the primary aim of the rebrand is worldwide consistency. Previously, VELO products had different names and designs in different countries, but this will no longer be true.

It’s also a chance for VELO to update its designs for a more modern look.

New names of existing VELO products

Name changes can take some getting used to. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered.

Below is a table showing the new and previous names of each VELO product — we recommend bookmarking or screenshotting this page so you can refer back to it the next time you want to purchase a VELO nicotine pouch.

Embrace the change

A rebrand can be disconcerting, but in a few months’ time, the previous names of VELO’s nicotine pouches will probably seem like a distant memory.

So, go ahead and purchase your favourite product under its new name. You’ll be able to enjoy the exact same flavour and nicotine formulation, but with an exciting new design — and less confusion if you ever find yourself looking for your favourite product when abroad.

Winter flavours - Ranging from creamy to spicy

What you like will influence the nicotine pouches you’ll use. In turn, those mentioned below may not suit your preferences, but if you’re looking for something different than a minty nicotine pouch, try the products below.

• Helwit Mocha
• VELO Fresh Jalapeño
• On! Coffee
• LOOP Red Chili Melon Strong

The products mentioned above aren’t the most popular nicotine pouches on the market but are made by some of the best brands, guaranteeing a premium pouch. Moreover, these flavours are soothing and warming, opposing the gloomy weather conditions of the winter months. If you want to see others that are similar, try ZYN and its wide range of tasting experiences.

What flavours best suit the winter months

During the winter, you need a nicotine pouch that will warm you up. Mint is good at keeping you cool and fresh, but this isn’t needed when it's cold and dark. Instead, you need something uplifting and hearty, explored further on.

A warming sensation

What better way to warm up than to have a tasting experience that does it for you? By utilising flavours such as red chilli and jalapeño, brands can supply this “warming sensation”. Just like menthol brings a “cooling sensation”. Some of these profiles are mentioned above, but another exciting nicotine pouch is VOLT Spicy Guava Strong, which mixes exotic guava with spicy chilli.

A creamy coffee taste

Another popular flavour profile that we at Snusdirect believe is perfect for the colder months is a coffee nicotine pouch. This flavour category is quite broad and takes two different directions, including:

• A rich, roasted coffee flavour
• Or a creamy, sweet, and chocolatey coffee-tasting experience

This variation opens this category to those with different preferences, as it suits those who prefer bold and bitter flavours or something sweet and syrupy. And what better way is there than to warm up with a hot cup of coffee?

Should you use strong nicotine pouches in the winter?

If you are to change the flavour profiles you use in the colder months, does the same apply to the nicotine content?

As a rule of thumb, you should not consume more nicotine if it's not needed. Therefore, you should use the same strength products throughout the year and not fluctuate between different seasons.

Consuming more nicotine may increase your tolerance, leading you to stronger products, and the likelihood of increasing your chances of addiction and the possible nicotine side effects increase.

Tips for Using Nicotine Pouches in the Winter

In the winter, you need to be conscious of how you store your pouches and what to do before you use them, as the cold and wet conditions can affect their quality. A few tips to use as you approach the winter months are:

• Store your nicotine pouches correctly - it is important to store them in a dry and cool place.
• Keep your pouches dry - be careful of the rain, as this can ruin your product if it gets in your can.
• Fluff your pouches before use - as it gets colder, your nicotine pouches will become firmer, so fluff them before use to ensure the contents have dispersed evenly.

The Best Nicotine Pouches of 2024

Nicotine pouches popularity depends on consumer preference, and this is why ranking them can prove difficult as some may like a product that others do not. However, some products are bought more than others, showing the pouch's success. 2023 has seen a lot of new products, but some of the old remain firm favourites for 2024, as seen below:

1. VELO Freeze X-Strong Slim - a classic pouch with a potent nicotine release matched by a robust ice-cold menthol sensation.

2. VELO Ice Cool Mint Slim Strong - This pouch combines potent peppermint notes with frosty menthol tones, creating a favourite mint-tasting experience.

3. Skruf Superwhite no.54 Fresh Mint Xtra Strong - Another product with an icy fresh flavour profile, utilising the bold notes of menthol and herbal peppermint.

4. VELO Freeze Max - This product has the same tasting experience as No.1 but with more nicotine. Each pouch contains 17mg of nicotine, perfect for experienced users wanting an intense sensation.

5. ZYN Cool Mint Mini - ZYN’s take on the mint flavour with notes of peppermint and eucalyptus oil providing an herbal freshness. Moreover, this is the only product in the Top 5 that is a mini size, prioritising a comfortable mouthfeel.

It may not surprise some of you who use VELO to see its dominance for 2024. However, two other fantastic brands join VELO: ZYN and Skruf.

What do these pouches have in common?

All of the products mentioned above sit in the mint category, but more specifically, the bold and cooling mint flavour that centres around the harmonious combination of peppermint and menthol. This type of flavour profile is enjoyed so much that is included in every popular brand range.

Peppermint and Menthol is the community's favourite flavour combination.

A Special Mention: VELO Nicotine Pouches

By looking at the rankings, one brand remains a fan favourite amongst the community in 2023. VELO nicotine pouches. This British American Tobacco (BAT) brand is still creating new products, and its existing products aren’t budging from the top spot. It continues to broaden its product range regarding flavour and strength, ensuring more users can access and enjoy VELO pouches.

New Nicotine Pouches Brands to Keep an Eye On in 2024

In 2023, many brands were released, and some may surge in popularity in 2024. The new brands mentioned below have been created by manufacturers you may have heard of, enabling you to trust its products. The ones we at Snusdirect believe you should keep an eye on include:

• FIX Nicotine Pouches - The Habit Factory’s new venture. These nicotine pouches focus on the “Flavour Index” and experiment with exciting new flavour combinations.
• Lynx Nicotine Pouches - Is Another Snus Factory’s new project. Lynx has colourful cans and exciting tasting experiences to match.

Along with new brands come new products. The New Nicotine Pouches of Autumn 2023 blog post covers some of the new nicotine pouches. Moreover, there’s more information on other new brands in 2023 there, too. There are plenty of options for your rotation in 2024.