How Strong are Nicotine Pouches?
As the different codes and strength rankings can be tricky to navigate, at Northerner we have ranked all products on our own scale to make it easier for you to find a nicotine pouch strength that suits you.
Nicotine Pouch Strengths
When choosing between the different nicotine strengths, you should consider whether you are used to nicotine or not and how often you use nicotine products: the more you use nicotine products, the more likely you have a stronger nicotine tolerance.
If ever you aren’t sure where to start, try something less strong as a starting point.
- On Northerner, you can find nicotine pouches in the following nicotine strength categories:
- Less Intense (Up to 3mg per pouch)
- Normal Strength (3-6mg of nicotine per pouch)
- Strong (6-9mg of nicotine per pouch)
- Extra Strong (9mg and over of nicotine per pouch)
How Much Nicotine is in a Snus Pouch?
Understanding nicotine pouch strengths is straightforward, no matter the brand, you can find the strength of the pouch on the can. Here's a quick breakdown of the different measurements of snus strengths:
If the number ends with “mg/g”: This means milligrams of nicotine per gram of the pouch's content. For example, 15mg/g means there is 15 milligrams of nicotine in each gram.
If the number ends with “mg/pouch”: This means there has been a direct measure of how much nicotine is in each pouch. For example, 15mg/pouch means there is 15 milligrams of nicotine in each of the pouches.
Some snus cans also have other indicators of strength, these give you an idea of which general strength category these pouches belong to. These indicators can include:
- Visual Strength Scales: The more dots or marks, the higher the strength.
- Text and Numerical Strength Labels: Terms like 'strong' or numbers (e.g., '4' for strong) provide a quick reference to the pouch's strength.
So how strong are the nicotine pouches from the most popular snus brands? We look at the strengths available for the top 5 snus brands on Northerner.
If the number ends with “mg/g”: This means milligrams of nicotine per gram of the pouch's content. For example, 15mg/g means there is 15 milligrams of nicotine in each gram.
If the number ends with “mg/pouch”: This means there has been a direct measure of how much nicotine is in each pouch. For example, 15mg/pouch means there is 15 milligrams of nicotine in each of the pouches.
Some snus cans also have other indicators of strength, these give you an idea of which general strength category these pouches belong to. These indicators can include:
- Visual Strength Scales: The more dots or marks, the higher the strength.
- Text and Numerical Strength Labels: Terms like 'strong' or numbers (e.g., '4' for strong) provide a quick reference to the pouch's strength.
So how strong are the nicotine pouches from the most popular snus brands? We look at the strengths available for the top 5 snus brands on Northerner.
On! Snus Strengths
The range of On! nicotine pouches comes in pouches ranging from 3mg to 9mg of nicotine per pouch. The classic On! snus range features three different nicotine strength options:
On! nicotine pouches come in three strength options:
- Normal: 3 mg of nicotine per pouch
- Strong: 6 mg of nicotine per pouch
- Extra Strong: 9 mg of nicotine per pouch
However, the new range of On! Plus pouches has two different strength options:
Regular: 6mg of nicotine per pouch
Strong: 9mg of nicotine per pouch
The main difference between these pouches, other than the On! snus strengths, is the pouch formulation, the pouch size (mini vs regular) and the flavour options.
On! nicotine pouches come in three strength options:
- Normal: 3 mg of nicotine per pouch
- Strong: 6 mg of nicotine per pouch
- Extra Strong: 9 mg of nicotine per pouch
However, the new range of On! Plus pouches has two different strength options:
Regular: 6mg of nicotine per pouch
Strong: 9mg of nicotine per pouch
The main difference between these pouches, other than the On! snus strengths, is the pouch formulation, the pouch size (mini vs regular) and the flavour options.
ZYN Snus Strengths
The range of ZYN strengths on Northerner features options from 6mg to 12.5mg of nicotine per pouch. ZYN pouches are categorised into Mini and Regular pouches, each having their own range of strengths.
ZYN Mini Strengths
Currently, ZYN mini pouches come in one nicotine strength option - strong. Each of these pouches contains 6mg of nicotine.
Regular ZYN Strengths
There are more nicotine strength options in the regular ZYN pouches range, with three strong options to choose from:Strong: 6mg of nicotine per pouch
X-Strong: 11mg of nicotine per pouch
XX-Strong: 12.5mg of nicotine per pouch
VELO Strengths
The original range of VELO pouches, including classic flavours such as VELO Freeze, features 6 different nicotine strength options:- Less Intense (◉◎◎◎): 4mg
- Medium/Normal (◉◉◎◎): 6mg
- Strong (◉◉◉◎): 8-11mg
- Extra Strong (◉◉◉◉): 10-11mg
- ULTRA (◉◉◉◉◎): 14mg
- MAX (◉◉◉◉◉): 17mg
However, the new range of VELO snus uses a visual strength scale of dots, ranging from 1 to 6 dots. The new VELO pouch strengths available are:
- One Dot: 4mg of nicotine per pouch
- Two Dots: 6mg of nicotine per pouch
- Three Dots: 10mg of nicotine per pouch
Helwit Strengths
Helwit is one of the newer snus brands and has quickly become a firm favourite in the UK, with a range of less intense nicotine strength options. Their range of flavours are available in a range of strengths that are ranked on a 4-point strength scale. The different Helwit nicotine strengths are:- 2/4: 2.9mg per pouch
- 3/4: 3.8 or 4.5mg per pouch (depending on the flavour)
- 4/4: 6mg per pouch
XQS Strengths
XQS are best known for their range of unique flavours, including Soft Toffee and Cactus Sour. Their selection of slim nicotine pouches come in 3 different nicotine strengths:- Normal: 4mg of nicotine per pouch
- Strong: 8mg of nicotine per pouch
- Extra Strong: 11.2mg of nicotine per pouch
3 Tips To Choose The Best Nicotine Pouch Strength For You
Tobacco-free nicotine pouches tend to be much more affordable than other products, including snus and cigarettes. For example, on Northerner, tobacco-free snus prices start at £1.80 per can. Nonetheless, the last thing you'll want is to waste money and time on products that don’t meet your expectations! That’s where the guidelines below can guide you towards choosing the right nicotine pouch for your needs from the very start.
1. Assess Your Tobacco Use Habits And Nicotine Tolerance
Understanding your nicotine tolerance is the first step when selecting the right nicotine pouch. A typical cigarette may contain about 11.9 to 14.5 mg of nicotine, but individuals generally absorb only 1-1.5 mg of nicotine per cigarette. So, reflect on your daily consumption to gauge your tolerance and experience needs.2. Experiment With Different Flavours
The flavour of a nicotine pouch can alter the user's experience. Our flavour range includes Mint, Citrus, Berry, Fruit, and Coffee. Each flavour provides a distinct taste profile. These flavours may affect the perceived strength of the pouches, particularly in lower-nicotine options. Meanwhile, Berry and Fruit types provide a combination of sweet and tangy notes, which may modify the strength perception of your pouches.3. Start With Lower Strengths First
For those new to nicotine pouches, it is advisable to begin with lower nicotine pouch strengths. This approach allows your body to adjust gradually, preventing you from feeling overwhelmed and experiencing side effects such as feelings of nausea.Starting low can also help you gauge how different strengths affect you and what limits you should stick to. Over time, you can choose to explore higher strengths as you become more accustomed to nicotine.
Discover the Range of Different Nicotine Pouches on Northerner
If you are struggling to find the right product for your specific needs, the specialists at Northerner can guide you in the right direction. Browse by brand, strength or flavour - or read our expert guides to find out more about snus and nicotine pouches!
FAQ
Why Are People Choosing Nicotine Pouches Over Snus?
Users are drawn towards nicotine pouches due to several advantages over traditional snus, including:
- - Tobacco-free: Pouches offer a nicotine experience without tobacco.
- - Discreet use: White pouches leave no discoloration, ideal for use anytime, anywhere.
- - Variety of flavours: A broad flavour palette caters to diverse tastes.
- - Legal Availability: Accessible in regions where traditional snus faces restrictions.
Is Snus Legal In The UK?
No, snus is not legal to sell within the UK. This stems from a wider European Union ban in place since 1992, following concerns about health issues and aggressive marketing tactics by manufacturers. Although it's illegal to purchase or sell snus in the UK, using it, provided you are over the age of 18, remains legal. Nonetheless, tobacco-free nicotine pouches remain the legal, more widely available alternative across the EU and the UK.
Can Switching Strengths Impact My Nicotine Pouch Experience?
Absolutely. Adjusting the nicotine strength can significantly alter your overall experience! Higher strengths provide a more pronounced nicotine impact, while lower strengths deliver a subtler experience. To start, opt for lower-strengths products or gauge your tolerance to nicotine from other products like tobacco or cigarettes. This can ensure a smoother transition to nicotine pouches.
Beth Furness
Published
2022-09-15