How To Use Nicotine Pouches
There are a lot of question that come up in the world of snus and nicotine pouches. But one of the most common questions is “how do I use nicotine pouches”? It’s a pretty simple process, but if you’re new to these types of products it can be a bit confusing! When I write articles and reviews, a lot of times I really focus around the way I’d want to read them. When I was new to snus back in 2009, there wasn’t a lot of content out there to help people like me. So, I like to look at it with fresh eyes, kind of like how I looked at things back then. Now, in 2024, I’m thankful to be a part of the SnusExpress.com blog and to be putting this information out there, because my main goal at the end of the day is to help as many people as possible.
Using snus and nicotine pouches is an area that is pretty easy once you start doing it. But, it can be intimidating at first. So, I’m going to think back to when I first started using snus in 2009 and come up with an article that I would have loved to have found back then. I like to keep things simple, but also include all the relevant information, which I’m going to attempt to do today. So, let’s hope that I nail it!
So, today, we are going to break it all down, step by step, start to finish, beginning to end, on how to use nicotine pouches. And it is my hope that this article will help you as you begin your journey into nicotine pouches!
Step One: Open the can
We might as well start at the beginning, right? Well, to start it off, you’re going to want to open the can. When you get a can, it’s going to be sealed. You can simply take your thumbnail, and slide it around the can to break the seal. Some people will do this with a pocket knife. I personally will always use my thumbnail, it’s easier that way. And it’s always right here with me. From there, open the can. What I do is hold it in one hand, and put a fingernail under the seal and pop the top lid off. From there, you’ll have your can open and see the nicotine pouches within the can. So, what’s next?
Step Two: Take out a pouch
Well, after your can is open, you’ll want to remove a pouch. One note I want to make is that you’re using your fingers and things are going in and out of your mouth, so focus on hygiene! I always advise people to regularly was their hands when doing this. But, I like to carry around a bottle of hand sanitizer and I’ll sanitize my hands before I put a pouch in and after I take a pouch out. It’s a good idea to keep your hands clean. Now, that being said, your next step is to simply take a pouch out of the can. Of course, you can use your fingers to do this. Sometimes, when I’m outside and my hands are dirty I’ll take a can and dump a pouch into my lip so I don’t put my dirty work hands into my can. But usually, I’ll just use my fingers.
Step Three: Put under your upper lip
After you have your pouch out, you’re going to want to insert it under your upper lip. One thing to add is that there isn’t a requirement that you do it this way. Of course, some will go in their lower lip. If you choose to, hey, that’s your call. You are free to use these however you want. But, usually, they’re advised to go in the upper lip. The reason for that is that there is less salivary contact. Meaning, these won’t “juice up” as much. This is also a part of what makes these products spit-free. Of course, the other part being how they’re made and that they don’t include fermented tobacco. So, like snus, these don’t require spitting. But, it is advised that you put them under your upper lip.
Another component of this is also a common question people ask, “how long do nicotine pouches last”, or “how long should I keep a nicotine pouch in”, so I’ll answer that, as well. Really, that part is up to you. I usually tell people you can keep them int or as long as you’re getting flavor from the pouch. For me, I usually notice flavor to last about 30-50 minutes, depending on the product, and the brand. But, that part is entirely up to you with how long you leave these in for.
It’s also flexible in how you put it under your upper lip. Some will do the “lip pull” method. This means you’ll pull your lip out and put the pouch under your upper lip. Some do the “tongue method”. This is the way I usually do it. I’ll take a pouch, put it on my tongue, and slide it under my upper lip. The reason for this is so I don’t have my fingers in my mouth as much. But, again, it is up to you how you put a pouch into your mouth.
When Done: Discard in a trash bin, or into your catch lid
So, we have come to the end of your nicotine pouch’s life cycle. It’s time to take it out. As I mentioned above, keep your hands clean! You can sanitize before and after if you choose, as you’re putting fingers inside your mouth. From here, simply take it out and toss it! If you’re near a trash receptacle or trash bin, obviously you’re going to want to throw it away there. We care for the earth, so it is a great thing to do. The other option is the catch lid. This is a common question people ask, “what is the lid on top of the can” or “what is the extra compartment on top of the can”, so I want to clarify that, too. There is an extra lid in the lid on top with most products. This is known as the catch lid. When you pull the catch lid off you’ll find a little compartment in the top of the lid. You can put your used pouches there, then discard of them when you are near a trash bin. I like this compartment, and I use this regularly myself. It’s super handy, because you basically always have a trash can with you in your pocket!
The Bottom Line
And there we have it, from start to finish, how to use nicotine pouches! It’s pretty easy once you get the hang of it. So, to do a quick recap and to keep it simple:
1. Open the can
2. Take a pouch out of the can
3. Put the pouch in your upper lip
4. Throw away the pouch when done using a trash can or the catch lid on top
Some of this is flexible, such as how you open the can, how you put it under your lip, where in the lip you put it, and where you’ll throw it away. In time, there are certain things you’ll develop as a nicotine pouch user or snus user. One of which is your personal rotation, meaning the flavors that you like and use on a regular basis. Another is your preferred strengths. And of course, the subject of this article, your method of usage. For me, I open the can with my thumb, I put a pouch under my upper lip with my tongue, and I use my catch lid. Some people never use their catch lid and find it kind of gross. This is one of those “to each their own” kind of things. Over time, you’ll develop a rotation, a strength preference, and a usage preference as you use these products. And, these can often change over time, so that’s something to keep in mind. My rotation has changed over time. I used to insert portions with the “lip pull”, and then I went on to the “tongue method”. So this is something to keep in mind!
Welcome to the exciting world of nicotine pouches. This is a relatively new product category, and there’s a lot more info out now about these than there was about snus when I started using snus 15 years ago. I think this will help a lot more people who are curious about this tobacco-free product category. If you’re new to snus, however, these “how to use” steps also apply to snus, so that is something to keep in mind if you’re interested in using both snus and nicotine pouches. Again, everyone is different! But I hope this helped you today, and good luck in finding your personal usage preference!
