Smoking alternatives under the microscope: nicotine vapes vs. nicotine pouches

• Why are people switching to modern nicotine products?
• What is vaping?
  • Something for everyone
  • Disadvantages of vaping
• What are nicotine pouches?
  • Disadvantages of nicotine pouches
• Comparison of vapes and pouches
• Vapes or pouches: which to choose?
• FAQ

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a medical recommendation or promotion of nicotine products. If you do not use nicotine, do not start. If you smoke and want to quit, consult your doctor and use medically approved methods of cessation.

Why are people switching to modern nicotine products?

The clear motivation for switching from cigarettes to other nicotine products is the desire to quit smoking and break the nicotine addiction.

The 2022 National Health Interview Survey shows that 40.8% of survey participants who switched from cigarettes to nicotine products successfully quit. In contrast, those who decided to quit completely without nicotine products were successful in only 6.3% of cases.

Other research has shown that modern nicotine products can significantly reduce the consumption of conventional cigarettes, especially among smokers with low socioeconomic status who do not plan to quit smoking immediately. In a study where participants used vapes or nicotine pouches for 8 weeks, the group using vapes saw a decrease in the average number of cigarettes per day from 14.7 to 2.9, and the group using nicotine pouches saw a decrease from 15.0 to 8.3.

However, it is important to note that nicotine vapes and pouches are not approved as a medicinal product for smoking cessation. This is because there are no studies proving their safety and efficacy according to pharmaceutical regulations, and manufacturers register their products as consumer products, which do not require a demanding approval process as is the case with medicines.

The only exceptions so far are Canada, Sweden and Norway, which have approved certain nicotine pouches as smoking cessation aids.

What is vaping?

In vaping, nicotine enters the body through vapour produced by heating a special cartridge in an electronic cigarette or vaporiser.

Unlike traditional smoking, there is no combustion of tobacco, so there are no harmful substances or associated odours. However, the ritual familiar to smokers remains, which is why vapes are so popular with those who are quitting smoking.

Vaping has also become popular with new users, as it offers many options for customising the experience, whether in terms of nicotine concentration, flavour or even vaping style.

Something for everyone

Vape liquids can be nicotine-free or contain nicotine at concentrations of up to 20 mg/ml. If the user is quitting, they can gradually reduce the nicotine dose without giving up their routine. In addition to these options, there are also liquids that do not contain nicotine but do contain cannabinoids (such as the popular CBD or CBG). Most of these cannabinoids are non-addictive and offer potential therapeutic benefits.

There are many flavours to choose from —  from classic tobacco, fresh menthol, fruity and sweet to unusual varieties.

The basis of every liquid is a mixture of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). The ratio of these substances affects the amount of vapour and the intensity of the flavour. More PG means a sharper throat hit and a more pronounced flavour, while more VG means denser clouds of vapour.

The choice of the right e-liquid depends not only on the desired effect, but above all on the type of device.

On the market you will find:

• Disposable vapes: Disposable vapes have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are compact, pre-filled devices that are ready to use immediately. They require no setup, charging or maintenance — once the liquid or battery is depleted, they are simply discarded. The vaping experience is intended to be as close as possible to the experience of traditional smoking. They offer many concentrations and flavours and are affordable, but they are not environmentally friendly.
• Refillable vape pens: These vaporisers are designed to be reused. They may offer settings, are rechargeable, and may require basic maintenance.
  • Simple batteries are designed for replaceable cartridges pre-filled with liquid.
  • In the case of vape pens with a removable chamber, the entire part is not replaced, but the chamber is simply refilled with liquid.
• Large vaporisers: Experienced vapers use powerful devices with a range of settings and a rechargeable or replaceable high-capacity battery. They are usually designed for liquids with a higher VG content and produce large clouds of vapour. In addition to vaporisers for nicotine liquids, there are also vaporisers for dry herbs and concentrates. These devices allow for maximum control over the experience, but are the most demanding to maintain.

Disadvantages of vaping

Vaping is a relatively new method of nicotine use, and we do not yet know what its long-term effects are. New studies point to the risks associated with potential toxins and carcinogens contained in liquids.

Vaping could contribute to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other illnesses.

What are nicotine pouches?

Nicotine pouches allow nicotine to be consumed without inhaling smoke or vapour. The pouch is simply placed between the upper lip and gums, from where the nicotine is gradually released through the oral mucosa directly into the bloodstream. This means that no harmful substances are released as a result of combustion or heating.

This form of use is very discreet, and you can use the pouches practically anytime, anywhere. As with vaping, you can choose different nicotine strengths and flavours, although the range is more limited.

Disadvantages of nicotine pouches

Nicotine pouches have an even shorter history than vaping, and there is a lack of research describing their long-term health effects. Initial studies point to a high risk of addiction and a possible impact on cardiovascular health.

Current data also show that the popularity of nicotine pouches is growing rapidly, especially among young people. According to a study from JAMA Network Open, the proportion of adolescents using nicotine pouches increased from 3.0% in 2023 to 5.4% in 2024. At the same time, there has been a decline in the use of vapes and an increase in the combined use of pouches and vapes. According to Australian research, 70% of participants perceive nicotine pouches as less harmful than cigarettes.

This trend suggests that modern nicotine products such as nicotine pouches may pose a risk — rather than helping to reduce addiction among smokers, they may be attractive to new users and, conversely, lead to addiction and increased nicotine consumption among young people.

Comparing vapes and pouches

Both nicotine vapes and pouches are modern alternatives to traditional smoking, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

The key difference between vapes and nicotine pouches is the way nicotine enters the body. With vaping, nicotine is inhaled into the lungs in the form of vapour, which leads to a rapid onset of effect, similar to traditional cigarettes.

With nicotine pouches, nicotine is absorbed through the oral mucosa into the bloodstream, so the onset is slower, but the effect is longer and more stable.

If you want to maintain your routine, vapes are more suitable for you. If you want to reduce your nicotine intake, you can gradually reduce the dose. But be careful — vaping is tolerated in more places than traditional smoking, and when combined with attractive flavours, it can tempt you to use it more often. It is therefore important to make sure that the frequency of vaping does not increase.

If you are looking for the most discreet way to use nicotine, nicotine pouches are the ideal choice. For smokers who are quitting, they can be a suitable way to first get rid of the smoking ritual itself and only then gradually reduce the nicotine dose.

But keep in mind that easy and discreet use can, on the contrary, lead to more frequent nicotine use and increased concentration.

	Vapes	Pouches
Method of nicotine delivery	inhalation of vapour into the lungs	absorption through the oral mucosa
Addiction	Reducing nicotine can help you quit, but social acceptability, good taste, lack of odour and preservation of the ritual can actually reinforce the habit.	can help break the smoking ritual, but discreet use can lead to more frequent use and increased nicotine doses
Risks	respiratory problems, possible carcinogenic effects	High risk of addiction, possible impact on cardiovascular health
Range of concentrations and flavours	Very wide range	more limited range
Customisation of experience (consumption style, settings)	Many options	concentrations from 2 to 12 mg, bag sizes (slim/regular), flavours
Discretion	Visible smoke, vaping is not permitted everywhere	Maximum discretion, can be used anytime, anywhere
Maintenance	Depending on the device	None
Environmental impact	Disposable vapes produce a lot of waste that is difficult to recycle.	Less waste

Vapes or pouches: which to choose?

Modern nicotine products such as vapes and nicotine pouches can be an interesting alternative to smoking, but they are not without risks. If you do not use nicotine, do not start. If you smoke and are considering a change, consider whether you want to gradually reduce your nicotine intake or rather get rid of the smoking habit itself.

Vapes offer the possibility of gradually reducing your nicotine intake while maintaining the habit, which may help some smokers to cope better with quitting. On the other hand, the possibility of vaping in more places and attractive flavours may lead to an intensification of the habit, even among new users.

Nicotine pouches can help break the ritual of smoking, but the ability to use them anytime, anywhere also contributes to more frequent use and increased doses.

  

Sources:

• Use of nicotine products, prescription drug products, and other methods to stop smoking by US adults in the 2022 National Health Interview Survey | PubMed
• Using Pod Based e-Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches to Reduce Harm for Adults With Low Socioeconomic Status Who Smoke: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial | PubMed
• Nicotine Pouch and E-Cigarette Use and Co-Use Among US Youths in 2023 and 2024 | JAMA Network Open
• It’ll save your lungs’: early insights into nicotine pouch use and perceptions among young Australians | PubMed

 

Author: Natálie Kubíčková

 

   

Photo: AI

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