What Are Nicotine Pouches? An Expert Guide (2025) 

A nicotine pouch is a smokeless oral product. Each pouch is pre-portioned and made with plant fibres, flavourings, and either tobacco-derived or synthetic nicotine. Unlike tobacco snus, a nicotine pouch contains no tobacco leaf.

When a pouch is placed under the lip, it delivers nicotine through the gums. This makes nicotine pouches an alternative to smoking or vaping for adult nicotine users.

Nicotine pouches come from Sweden and were developed in the 2000s. Nicotine pouches are the result of centuries of product evolution, rooted in Sweden:

• Snus originated in Sweden during the 18th century, when ground tobacco was moistened and flavoured.
• Portioned snus was invented in 1967, designed for convenience.
• Nicotine pouches were first developed in the 2000s, building on the portioned snus format to remove tobacco altogether.
• ZYN launched in 2014 in the USA and 2016 in Sweden, becoming one of the first global nicotine pouch brands.

Today, nicotine pouch brands like ZYN, Nordic Spirit, and VELO are widely available in the UK, with different strengths and flavours.

In 1992, the European Union banned oral tobacco products, including snus, across member states due to health concerns.

However, Sweden was granted an exemption upon joining the EU in 1995, as snus was deeply rooted in Swedish culture.

This regulatory environment pushed manufacturers to create tobacco-free alternatives that complied with EU rules, setting the stage for nicotine pouches. 

By the early 2000s, Swedish manufacturers began experimenting with tobacco-free versions of snus. They replaced tobacco with purified nicotine, creating a discreet and non-tobacco product that adhered to EU regulations. This innovation marked the birth of modern nicotine pouches.

Here’s roughly how nicotine pouches launched onto the global market:

• 2014: The first commercially available nicotine pouches, including brands like ZYN and VELO, were introduced in Sweden. These products quickly gained attention for their tobacco-free and smoke-free qualities. 
• 2016: Acceptance of nicotine pouches spread across Scandinavia and Europe as more consumers recognised them as a convenient and modern nicotine option. 
• 2018–2021: The UK saw significant growth in nicotine pouch use, driven by brands like Nordic Spirit and VELO entering the market. Retailers began stocking a wide variety of flavours and nicotine pouch strength options, making the products easily accessible to adult users. 

The sale of traditional snus is banned in the UK and EU (except Sweden), but tobacco-free nicotine pouches are fully legal. They can be purchased online and in selected stores, provided the buyer is over 18.

For more details, read Is Snus Legal in the UK?

Nicotine pouch strength refers to the amount of nicotine per pouch, helping users choose a level that suits their preference. At Northerner, strengths are grouped into three categories: Normal (0–6 mg/pouch), Strong (6.1–9 mg/pouch), and Extra Strong (9.1–20 mg/pouch). 

The right strength depends on personal preference and nicotine familiarity. For details, visit our Snus Strengths Guide.

Flavour variety is one of the defining features of nicotine pouches. Popular choices include mint, fruit, berry, citrus, coffee, and liquorice.

Alongside flavour, pouches come in different sizes:

• Mini: the smallest, most discreet option.
• Slim: narrow for comfort, balancing fit and flavour.
• Regular: larger pouches, often with higher nicotine content.

Explore flavour options in our Snus Flavours Guide.

Among many brands, three typically stand out with Northerner customers:

Nicotine pouches are sold online and in some physical shops. Shopping online gives access to a wider selection, multipacks, and fast delivery. At Northerner UK, we stock leading brands like ZYN, VELO, and Nordic Spirit, all available for home delivery with competitive pricing.