What are nicotine pouches?
“So, what are nicotine pouches? How are they different from snus?”
In 2019, the Lyft line of nicotine pouches burst onto the market, and with it came the nicotine pouch revolution. Nicotine pouches brought a way for consumers to enjoy nicotine, in the pouched format, but without the tobacco. Snus, of course, contains tobacco. Nicotine pouches are enjoyed by people who use snus, and by those who choose to not consume tobacco. So, no matter where you fall on this spectrum, there’s something out there for you.
“What makes a nicotine pouch? What’s inside the pouch itself?”
I went ahead and cut open a pouch because, that’s kind of my thing, but also to show you the contents. As mentioned before, nicotine pouches are tobacco free. They contain nicotine, and a filler material that is usually made of some form of cellulose/plant fiber. The material inside is completely white, and the moisture levels vary based on the product. Some can be on the dry side, but for the most part they’re moderately moist.
“What are the different strength levels for nicotine pouches?”
The strength levels vary from regular strength all the way up to extra strong. But, what do these words and phrases mean? Well, let’s break it down!
Regular Strength: Usually, this strength level is between 6-8mg/g, and hovers mostly around the 8mg/g level. But this is usually about the baseline for nicotine. There is a “light” strength slightly under this that new products are launching in, usually around 4-6mg/g.
Strong: The next level up is the strong level, which usually hangs out between 12-14mg/g. This will give a little extra nicotine kick, but it’s not too over the top.
Extra Strong: This is the top mark, and usually hangs out between 16-20mg/g, sometimes higher in certain cases. But, usually this is the the top of the ladder for nicotine pouches. There are a few out there that exceed this level, but they’re more of an outlier. This level is for those seeking a really strong kick.
Ultra Strong: There aren’t a lot of nicotine pouches currently in this category, but with Siberia bringing nicotine pouches to the market now, you’ll start to see some that are well over the 20mg/g mark. These are going to be really, really strong. So don’t go too crazy with these!
“What are some popular brands? What do you recommend?”
There are a lot of nicotine pouch brands on the market, and more and more coming each day. Some of the more popular brands out there include Skruf Super White, Lyft/Velo, Zyn, Ace, and White Fox. With nicotine pouches, there is a multitude of strengths and flavors out there so it may be a bit overwhelming at first. But, I’ll give you some of my favorites and suggestions as a place to start!
Snubie’s Suggestions:
Here’s just a few you can jump in and start with!
Ace Green Lemon Strong - A nice, tart taste of lemon.
Velo Tropic Breeze - If you like a tropical flavor, you’ll love this one.
Velo Elderflower Spritz - This one has a slightly sweet, floral taste of elderflower.
Loop Cassis Bliss - A beautiful, fruity taste of black currant.
Swave Cuba Libre - This one has a sweet taste of cola, super good!
Loop Jalapeno Lime Strong - I love this one, it has a spicy lime flavor.
The Bottom Line
There’s a lot of great flavors in the world of nicotine pouches, and strength levels to suit every consumer. So, no matter where you fall or what you’re into, there’s something here for you. I myself am a snus guy, but don’t get me wrong, I’ll mix a nicotine pouch in here and there. So even if you’re a snus user, don’t feel bad, it’s okay to use nicotine pouches, too. But, if you’re a tobacco free nicotine enthusiast, welcome to the world of nicotine pouches!
