Whether you’re looking to live a healthier lifestyle, or simply start saving money, there are a variety of reasons as to why consumers are stepping away from smoking and seeking nicotine alternatives instead. Whatever the reason may be, it’s become evident that more adults than ever are looking to make the switch from smoking.
A review conducted by the UK government found that 12% of adults reported using vaping products as of June 2023. Luckily for them, there are more nicotine alternatives for them to choose from than ever before which makes transitioning from smoking a much more pleasant experience, and increases your chances of success too! In this blog I’ll be exploring two nicotine alternatives in particular - nicotine pouches and vapes. I’ll be looking at how they differ from each other, as well as how they’re similar, all to help educate you so that you can pick the perfect option for you! Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about nicotine pouches and vape kits!
What are Nicotine Pouches?
Nicotine pouches, also referred to as nic pouches or nicopods, are a small pouch that’s often made of natural materials and contains nicotine. These pouches are filled with mostly natural ingredients including natural fibres, as well as top quality pharmaceutical grade nicotine.
Nic pouches are available in a wide variety of nicotine strengths and flavours, making them suitable for a wide range of people with an even larger range of tastes. Nicpods have been developed for oral use and are a great way for users to get the nicotine fix they crave without the use of tobacco.
How to use Nicotine Pouches
Using nicotine pouches is relatively easy, even for first time users. You don’t need any experience or anything, just take a pouch out of the carry case/packaging and slip it beneath your upper lip, against the gum.
You might want to adjust the position of the pouch until it sits comfortably, but once it’s there you don’t need to lift a finger! Nicpods can take anywhere from 10 - 60 minutes to release the nicotine within, but the idea is that once you feel satisfied and have your nicotine cravings under control you can remove the pouch and dispose of it responsibly.
The Pros & Cons of using Nicotine Pouches
There are both advantages and disadvantages to using nicotine pouches. Below is a list of both to help you decide whether nic pouches are the right nicotine replacement for you.
Pros
- Free From Tobacco - Nicotine pouches, despite sometimes being called ‘snus’ or ‘nicotine snus pouches’, are completely tobacco-free within the UK. This means that using a nicotine pouch is much safer than smoking as it doesn’t contain the same harmful carcinogenic chemicals that are in tobacco products such as cigarettes.
- Easy to Use - Nicopods are really easy to use as they don’t need to be set up or maintained in any way. They slip seamlessly beneath your lip and rest against your gum where they release nicotine.
- Discreet - Nicpods don’t produce any smoke or vapour during use, and they aren’t made to be chewed or sucked either. This makes using nicpods incredibly discreet, allowing consumers to use them in multiple public locations without issue or risk of discovery.
Cons
- Delayed Nicotine Delivery - Due to the way they work nic pouches can be quite slow to satisfy nicotine cravings when compared with the effectiveness of vape kits.
- Unfamiliar Feeling - Quitting smoking can sometimes be a little difficult with nicotine pouches due to the fact that using them doesn’t provide the familiar movement or habitual processes associated with smoking.
What are Vapes?
Vapes, also known as Vape Kits or E-Cigs, come in many different shapes and sizes. There are so many different types of vapes as technology is constantly changing and adapting to the wants and needs of the customer. But what is a vape, exactly? A vape is an electronic device that has been developed as a smoking cessation tool. The vape device is usually connected to a pod or tank that’s filled with vape liquid which is turned into vapour when the device is activated.
How to use a Vape Kit
There are many different types of vape kits, and so how to use them can vary quite a bit. However, the two most common types of vape are disposables and refillables. Disposable vapes are already filled with vape juice and contain a precharged battery, all you need to do is puff on the mouthpiece, like you would a cigarette and you’re ready to go.
Refillable vapes on the other hand can feature either a built-in rechargeable battery, or an external rechargeable battery. These types of vapes also need to be filled with vape liquid before you’re able to use them. The liquid is stored within either a refillable pod or a vape tank, where a ‘coil’ will become saturated with the e-liquid and also heat it when the device is activated. Once the coil heats the vape juice it turns it into vapour, which can be inhaled similar to a cigarette.
The Pros & Cons of using Vapes
There are a number of benefits, as well as drawbacks, to using vapes. Here you’ll find a list of each which has been written in order to help you make the best decision for you.
Pros
- Control - Vapes offer the user more control over their experience as there’s a huge range of vapes available, many of which offer the user options for customisation and personalisation.
- Flavours and Nicotine Strengths - There are absolutely thousands of different flavours for you to pick from, as well as a huge range of nicotine strengths too. This offers vapers more ways to make their nicotine experience as enjoyable as possible.
- Cost Effective - Although more expensive in the short term, vape kits can save you a lot of money in the long run. Especially when compared with tobacco products such as cigarettes, which can be incredibly expensive. Once you’ve bought the kit all you need to do is keep the device topped up with e-liquid and change the pod or coil every couple of weeks.
Cons
- High Maintenance - Using a vape can be quite a high maintenance affair. Not only do the majority of them need to be recharged regularly, but they also need to be topped up with vape juice and have their coils or pods replaced frequently.
- Can be Complicated - As well as being high maintenance, using a vape isn;t also a simple experience. They can be quite complex, featuring multiple adjustable features and requiring previous experience or prior knowledge to use.
- Visible Use - When you use a vape it produces visible vapour, making it unsuitable for use within certain locations. This can make vapes quite inconvenient as you can’t always use them to satisfy your nicotine cravings.
The Difference Between Pouches & Vaping
Despite the fact that both vapes and nicotine pouches are popular nicotine alternatives, there are a lot of differences between the two. Keep reading to discover just how different these smoking cessation tools are.
Usability and Convenience
Whilst both nicotine pouches and some types of vape are considered convenient due to the way that they work - there’s still a big difference in how they’re used.
Nicotine pouches have been designed to be as straightforward as possible. You just pop a pouch under your lip and leave it there whilst it gradually releases nicotine which your body then absorbs. This is a very passive process that takes absolutely 0 effort or concentration from the consumer. Also, it doesn’t matter which nicotine pouch brand you pick up - they all worth the same!
Vapes on the other hand have to be lifted to the mouth and puffed on as a bare minimum to be able to use them. However, most vape devices aren’t that simple. They require a fair bit of maintenance and upkeep when compared with nic pouches. They need to be refilled with vape liquid, recharged regularly, and they also need their coils or pods changed every few weeks. This is quite the difference when compared to snus nicotine pouches.
Nicotine Strengths and Flavours
Whilst there are more nicotine strengths and flavours available in vapes and vape juices, they’re also limited. Vapes and vape liquids are restricted to a maximum nicotine strength of 20mg, whilst there’s no such restriction on nicotine snus pouches. Snus can reach as high as 50mg per pouch, which is an ultra strong nicotine strength! This makes snus nicpods better suited to those who were previously heavy smokers as it offers them access to the nicotine level they need in order to replace the cigarettes they were smoking previously.
Final Verdict
So there you have it. Whilst there are similarities between vaping and nicotine pouches, there are also quite a few significant differences too. Vapes can provide consumers with more control over their experience, they can be less convenient than nicotine pouches. Vaping is also limited by the maximum nicotine concentrations legally available within the UK, whilst nicotine pouches aren't. This makes nicpods better for those who were smoking an excess of 20 cigarettes per day.
For more information on nicopod pouches and how they compare to other products, such as nicotine gum, take a look at our blog!
If you’re considering purchasing nicotine pouches, take a look at JusSnus. We stock all of the best nicotine pouch brands, as well as the most popular flavours - and all at amazingly low prices!