Nicotine pouches – what are they?

Nicotine pouches are gaining more and more popularity in the European Union as well. What exactly are nicotine pouches and how are they related to the e-cigarette and e-liquid industry? What is the difference between a nicotine pouch and snuff? You will find the answers to these and other questions about nicotine pouches in the article below.

1. Snuff vs nicotine pouches. How are nicotine pouches different from snuff?

Traditional snuff (brown snuff, snuff) is a moist, smokeless tobacco product popular in Scandinavia. Swedish snuff in particular is very popular.

Snuff looks like tobacco wrapped in a cellulose bag that resembles a small tea bag. Sometimes it is called “snuff”. The traditional product is made from a mixture of dried tobacco leaves and salt, which is moistened with hot steam. The finished product contains about 50% water and should be stored in the refrigerator. There is also a version without the cellulose packaging called “loose snuff”. Snuff is usually applied by placing it between the lower or upper lip and the gum. As a result, nicotine from tobacco is absorbed into the body from the oral cavity. In addition, the nicotine content of snuff is higher than in a traditional cigarette. Although nicotine pouches resemble traditional snuff in some ways, there are significant differences between the two products that need to be discussed.

2. Nicotine bags (non-tobacco snuff)

Nicotine bags (white snuff or non-tobacco snuff) come from traditional brown snuff. The only difference between the two is the nicotine carrier. Snuff contains tobacco leaves, while nicotine pouches are filled with cellulose. Powdered cellulose is soaked in a mixture of pure nicotine, flavorings and pH balance (so that the pH of the product is more similar to the natural pH of the oral cavity). The mixture is additionally moistened  with   , but the nicotine pouches are slightly dry. It means that the user can feel the nicotine effect and taste after a few seconds of placing the pouch behind their lips.

3. Sales of snuff in the EU

The ban on the distribution of traditional snus has been in force in the European Union since 1992. The only country that is exempt from this rule in the EU is Sweden. This is partly because Swedes are very fond of snuff, which is their traditional stimulant. In Sweden, there is even an expression “fint som snus” – beautiful as snus, which is supposed to be synonymous with the highest quality or form. In 1995, the European Union wanted to ban the product also in Sweden (which at that time was entering the EU). However, Sweden managed to convince the European Commission that this could lead to the rejection of EU membership in a general, national referendum. Sweden retained the right to use brown snuff only within the country’s territory and committed not to export it to other EU countries. Snuff is also not prohibited outside the EU, e.g. it is very popular in Norway and is also distributed in the United States. In addition, brown snuff can be sold legally in Switzerland.

4. Nicotine bags are not banned in the European Union

The legal situation of nicotine pouches is completely different. It does not contain tobacco leaves, but only cellulose, which is the carrier of pure nicotine. For this reason, nicotine pouches are not currently regulated by TPD legislation in most EU countries. Since nicotine pouches are not covered by the TPD directive, it means that the product does not need to be registered in the EU. In addition, the sale of nicotine pouches in the European Union is not prohibited in any way. However, each country may have its own, different legislation for nicotine pouches.

5. How the snuff market is changing

Snuff is most popular in Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Sweden, while the largest producer is Swedish Match. What is interesting, Swedes are one of the least smoking countries in the European Union. It is estimated that only 5% of adult Swedes smoke cigarettes every day. The fact is also the growing trend of snuff popularity in the Scandinavian countries over the years. The disappearance of smoking is seen as the result of a long-term campaign aimed primarily at young people about the harmfulness of smoking. The availability and popularity of snuff in the Swedish market may have played a role in this phenomenon.

6. Are nicotine pouches or snuff harmful?

The alleged harmfulness of alternative nicotine delivery products has been hotly debated, and it’s true that opinions are divided on the subject. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that products that reduce the harm of tobacco (and nicotine pouches belong to this group) are another alternative to traditional cigarettes. Nicotine is a stimulant in all forms, including snuff bags. However, by absorbing it into the bloodstream through the mucous membrane, you can avoid harmful combustion products and the so-called passive smoking. Everyone (both non-smokers and smokers) knows about the harmful effects of smoking. The salvation of smokers can be drugs that help them quit. In a situation where it is impossible to give up nicotine completely, nicotine replacement therapy and modern alternative products,

7. The quality of the raw materials is decisive

Informed and responsible manufacturers of tobacco harm reduction products are aware that tobacco substitutes are much less harmful than traditional, combustible cigarettes. Regardless, you should always do everything you can to provide e-cigarette or nicotine pouch users with the highest level of safety. Chemnovatic has been supplying high quality raw materials for many years. PureNic  99+ our pure nicotine is pharmaceutical grade and has a purity of over 99.9%. It has received worldwide recognition from hundreds of manufacturers. Chemnovatic freebase nicotine extract is perfect for nicotine pouches. It is completely odorless, tasteless and crystal clear, which hardly affects the smell and taste of the final product. Chemnovatic PureNic 99+ pure EP and USP nicotine liquid comes with a set of documents and certificates that ensure compliance with quality, safety and legal standards. If you would like to know more or are looking for pure nicotine for sale, click    or contact our sales team. Properly selected, high-quality raw materials play an important role in this, as well as laboratory tests and product quality control.

8. Laboratory tests of harm-reducing products

Regarding e-liquids, the statutory requirements require laboratory tests. The European TPD directive strictly defines the test types of e-liquids before the product enters the market. This ensures the health and well-being of consumers. TPD’s laboratory tests aim to ensure that there are no dangerous substances in e-liquids, such as heavy metals or mutagenic substances. Not only e-liquids should be subjected to laboratory tests. Although nicotine pouches are generally not subject to the TPD directive, they may be tested for safety reasons and for the internal needs of the company that manufactures these products. In the case of nicotine pouches, we test exactly the same parameters as e-liquids, but the sample to be tested is different. We check whether there are any unwanted details in the composition of the product.

Chemnovatic laboratory tests  As a manufacturer of e-liquids and raw materials for e-liquids, Chemotactic uses TPD-compliant products. We guarantee that your final e-liquid product will pass TPD tests. More information on TPD legislation and procedures can be found  here . In addition, we offer our customers laboratory tests, including toxicology and emission tests of finished e-liquids and composition tests of other products that reduce the harm of tobacco. Every country in Europe accepts our laboratory tests. Below you will find exemplary tests we have performed: