As more people are turning away from tobacco products such as cigarettes, nicotine alternatives are becoming more and more popular. Although some would argue that having a variety of options is a good thing, sometimes having too much choice can leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. This is especially true when it comes to choices that can impact our health and wellbeing, such as choosing a replacement for smoking.
In this article I’ll be looking at two popular nicotine replacements in particular - nicotine pouches and nicotine gum - to help you decide which might suit you best whilst also explaining their similarities and differences.
What is Nicotine Gum?
Nicotine gum is a type of chewing gum, but it’s unlike the flavoured, minty chewing gums that you’ve tried previously. It’s purpose is not to freshen your breath, but to instead supply you with a steady dose of nicotine to relieve cravings.
As this type of gum contains nicotine it’s able to assist the user in quitting smoking and moving away from tobacco products, whilst also negating the risk of being exposed to harmful chemicals and carcinogens.
The theory behind using nicotine gum is that when the user feels the urge to smoke they can instead chew the gum which will gradually decrease the severity of their cravings or eliminate it entirely, so that they can reduce their dependence on nicotine. This will end their addiction and help them live a healthier, smoke-free lifestyle.
Nicotine Gum - Pros and Cons
There are both advantages and disadvantages to using nicotine gum. See below for a list of benefits and downsides.
The Pros
- You can use it almost anywhere, and at almost any time.
- There are quite a few different flavours available so there’s bound to be one that you’re comfortable using.
- There are different nicotine strengths so you can gradually reduce your nicotine intake.
- It’s discrete - there’s no smoke or vapour when you use it.
- It delivers nicotine quite quickly, resulting in rapid relief from cravings.
- You don’t need a prescription to purchase it as it’s available over the counter.
- It doesn’t contain any harmful carcinogenic chemicals, unlike cigarettes and tobacco generally.
The Cons
- It has a slightly odd taste, unlike regular chewing gum.
- Some users have reported discomfort such as jaw pain, or even the hiccups during use.
- It might not be strong enough for those suffering from severe nicotine cravings.
- Chewing gum can increase hunger due to the chewing motion.
- Nicotine gum can sometimes upset the stomach or intestinal disturbances.
- The gum contains nicotine, which in some cases can cause users to become dependent on the nicotine gum rather than tobacco products.
Whilst nicotine gum can help some users quit smoking tobacco cold turkey, there are still drawbacks to its use. However, there are still many benefits too and it can be an effective smoking cessation tool.
What are Nicotine Pouches?
Nicotine pouches are small, slim pouches that have been developed to help those who wish to quit smoking or stop using tobacco products as a smoking cessation tool. These nicpods are often white in colour and are designed to slip between the lip and gum. Once in place they gradually release nicotine that is absorbed by the body through the mucus membrane (lining of the gums).
Nicotine pouches, sometimes called nicopods or snus, are completely free from tobacco, which is a definitive factor in their growing popularity. They’re incredibly discrete and offer users the nicotine that they crave without producing smoke or vapour. As a nicotine snus pouch doesn’t contain tobacco it’s also free from the carcinogenic chemicals found within nicotine products such as cigarettes and traditional snus. This makes nicopods much safer to use overall.
Nicotine Pouches - Pros and Cons
There are many reasons as to why using nic pouches to quit smoking is a good idea - however, like all things in life, there are also a few drawbacks too.
The Pros
- Nicpods are super discrete! Once they’re in place nobody will know you’re using one, so you can use it anywhere and at any time!
- They’re available in loads of different flavours, ranging from fruity flavours like citrus or tropical, to cool blends like mint and menthol! There’s no doubt you’ll find a flavour that’ll make for a pleasant nicotine experience.
- Nicotine snus pouches don’t contain tobacco in the UK - so there’s no need to spit. Just dispose of the pouch when you’re finished.
- Convenient and easy to use. You don’t need to have used a nicopod before to get started, because using them is really simple and intuitive.
- Nic pouches come in a wide variety of nicotine strengths too, from light strength nicotine pouches produced by brands such as Velo to Ultra Strong nic pouches by brands like Cuba - and everything in between!
- They can help you quit smoking by providing you with the nicotine you crave - but without the harmful side-effects associated with tobacco.
- As there’s no tobacco, these nicotine pouches won’t stain your teeth and there’s no need to worry about bad breath either!
- Snus nicotine pouches can be purchased from lots of different places, there are online retailers like us (JusSnus) as well as a number of supermarkets and corner stores that sell them.
- Nicotine pouches are relatively cheap compared to cigarettes, making them a more sustainable alternative, and allowing you to save money in the long run!
The Cons
- Some nicotine pouches are considered incredibly strong due to the high concentration of nicotine within them, which can worsen addiction and nicotine dependency, rather than help alleviate it.
- Some users have said that they find keeping the pouch beneath their lip uncomfortable, so you may need to consider different nic pouch sizes before purchasing.
- The nicotine strength of the pouches can vary depending on the brand, so you need to think about what strength might be best for you before buying.
Like with all nicotine products there are risks involved with using nicotine pouches, but the positives of using them far outweigh the negatives. Now you know what’s good and bad about nicpods and nicotine gum, it’s time to take a look at what makes them different from one another.
What’s the Difference Between Nicotine Pouches and Gum?
If you’re trying to choose between nicotine pouches and nicotine gum, you’re going to need all of the facts! Keep reading for more information on how nic pouches and nicotine gum differ from each other.
How they’re used
Whilst they’re both intended for oral use only, there is still quite a significant difference in how nicotine snus pouches and nicotine chewing gum are used.
A snus nic pouch is supposed to be inserted into the mouth and positioned between the upper lip and gum where it gradually releases nicotine which is absorbed by the body to reduce or relieve cravings.
Nicotine gum is also inserted into the mouth but is instead chewed repeatedly in order to release the nicotine within the gum.
How they work
There are also differences in how the two nicotine products work, despite them both being used orally. Nicotine gum has to be chewed to release the nicotine within. Some of the nicotine is absorbed through the lining of the mouth, whilst some of it is swallowed and ingested.
Nicopod pouches on the other hand are intended to release nicotine that is directly absorbed through the mucous membrane of the gum, rather than it being swallowed or consumed that way. There’s also no need to chew or suck nicotine pouches as they passively
How long they last
On average nicotine gum appears to be used for longer, with some reporting that they chew the gum for up to an hour at a time. However, most nicpod pouch users keep the pouch within their mouth for approximately 30 minutes before disposing of it. This is due to the fact that pouches containing nicotine tend to deliver the nicotine faster than the gum does.
Their nicotine content
You’ll usually find that there’s more variety in nicotine strength when it comes to nicopods than there is in nicotine chewing gum. Pouches can range in strength from 2mg, all the way up to 50mg, and anywhere in between. Chewing gum containing nicotine tends to have a shorter range of strengths in comparison.
How are Nicopods and Nicotine Gum Similar?
In this section of the article I'll be taking a look at the similarities between nicotine chewing gum and a nic pouch.
Portable and Easy to Use
Both nicotine products are incredibly user-friendly. They’re simple, straightforward nicotine alternatives that you don’t need any knowledge or prior experience to use. They’re also convenient as they’re super-portable and can be used on the go.
Wide Variety of Flavours and Brands
They’re both available in a huge selection of flavours and there are more brands to choose from than you can possibly imagine! Popular flavours include both sweets and mint which can be found in brands like Pablo and Killa.
Effective Smoking Cessation Tool
Pouches and gum can both be effective smoking cessation tools when used correctly as they can be used as a replacement for the nicotine that users crave. This helps mitigate the intense cravings that users experience when they stop using tobacco.
Wide Range of Nicotine Strengths
With so many different nicotine strengths on the market in both pouches and gum, there’s a strength to suit every need. Although as I mentioned earlier, there does appear to be a wider range of pouch strengths than gum strengths overall.
To Conclude…
Both nicotine pouches and nicotine gum can help you successfully stop smoking by ridding you of your cravings and relieving you of your need for nicotine. If you’re still unsure about which would be right for you, or would like to learn more about nicotine pouches you can contact us either via email, telephone, or leave us a message using the form on our website. In the meantime I hope you found this article useful, and until next time - happy snussin’!