The United Kingdom's ban on disposable vapes, effective from June 1, 2025, marks a significant shift in the nation's approach to nicotine products. Driven by concerns over escalating youth vaping rates and the environmental impact of single-use devices, this legislation is prompting users and the industry to look towards alternatives. While reusable vapes remain a legal option for adult smokers looking to quit, another product category is steadily gaining mainstream attention: oral nicotine pouches. As the UK grapples with its "smoke-free generation" ambitions under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, a crucial question arises: Are nicotine pouches a genuinely safer alternative to vaping and smoking, or do they represent a new frontier of nicotine addiction, particularly for young people?
What Are Nicotine Pouches and How Do They Work?
Nicotine pouches are small, discreet, pre-portioned sachets made from plant-based fibers, often resembling miniature tea bags. They contain nicotine (either extracted from tobacco or synthetic), food-grade fillers, sweeteners, and a variety of flavorings, typically minty or fruity. Crucially, they do not contain tobacco leaf itself, distinguishing them from traditional smokeless tobacco products like snus (though the term "snus bags" is sometimes colloquially, and often incorrectly, used to describe them).
The user places a pouch between their gum and upper lip. Nicotine is then absorbed through the oral mucosa (the lining of the mouth) directly into the bloodstream. This delivery method is smokeless, vaporless, and requires no inhalation. A pouch is typically used for around 30 minutes before being discarded responsibly.
As Dr. Babak Ashrafi of Superdrug Online Doctor explains, "Placed between the gum and lip to deliver nicotine through the mouth’s lining, nicotine pouches are smokeless and don’t require inhalation, but they are still a source of nicotine, which is an addictive substance. They also have sweeteners and flavourings."
Comparing the Risks: Pouches vs. Vaping vs. Smoking
Understanding the relative harms of these different nicotine delivery systems is key. The consensus among public health bodies is that combustible tobacco smoking is by far the most dangerous.
- Smoking Cigarettes: This involves burning tobacco, which releases thousands of harmful chemicals, including tar and carbon monoxide. These are the primary causes of smoking-related diseases like lung cancer, COPD, and heart disease.
- Vaping (E-cigarettes): Vaping heats an e-liquid (which may or may not contain nicotine) to create an aerosol that is inhaled. This avoids combustion, meaning no tar or carbon monoxide. Public Health England famously estimated vaping to be around 95% less harmful than smoking. However, vaping is not risk-free; the long-term effects of inhaling e-liquid constituents are still being studied, and most vapes deliver addictive nicotine.
- Nicotine Pouches: These deliver nicotine without combustion and without inhalation of aerosol into the lungs. Dr. Ashrafi notes, "Pouches may pose fewer risks than smoking because they don't involve combustion or exposure to tar and carbon monoxide." However, he cautions, "they are not harm_less_... Compared to vaping, we don’t yet have enough long-term research on the safety of pouches, so while they might reduce some risks, they’re not a risk-free alternative."
The primary advantage of nicotine pouches over both smoking and vaping is the elimination of inhalation-related risks. There's no exposure to the products of combustion (as in smoking) or to the aerosolized chemicals found in vape vapor that are drawn into the lungs. This makes them, theoretically, lower on the harm spectrum than vaping for lung health.
Health Impacts of Nicotine Pouches: What We Know
Despite being tobacco-leaf-free and smokeless, nicotine pouches are not without their own set of health considerations, primarily stemming from the nicotine they deliver and direct oral contact.
Nicotine's Effects:
Dr. Ashrafi explains, "Nicotine affects the body by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline levels, which can add strain to the heart and blood vessels." This cardiovascular strain is a known risk with any nicotine product. The most significant concern, however, is nicotine addiction. "Nicotine is one of the most habit-forming substances, and using pouches recreationally or frequently can lead to dependence even in people who’ve never smoked," he warns. This is particularly concerning for young people whose brains are still developing and are more susceptible to addiction.
Oral Health:
The direct contact of the pouch with the gums can lead to localized issues. "With pouches, there’s also the risk of gum irritation, ulcers, and damage to the soft tissues in the mouth, especially with prolonged use," Dr. Ashrafi adds. Gum recession and other dental problems are potential long-term concerns.
Other Ingredients:
While pouches don't contain tobacco, they do contain flavorings and sweeteners. The long-term effects of consistent oral mucosal exposure to these specific combinations of ingredients in pouch form are still being studied.
The Rise of Nicotine Pouches in the UK and Youth Appeal
While still relatively low compared to vaping, the use of nicotine pouches is on an upward trend in the UK. Research from King's College London and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) found that while only 1% of adults and youths currently reported using them, the number of adult users had doubled between 2020 and 2024. The concern, similar to that which fueled the disposable vape ban, is their potential appeal to young people. The variety of minty and fruity flavors, discreet usage, and modern packaging can make them attractive to minors.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill includes recommendations and powers to regulate the marketing and packaging of nicotine products, including pouches, precisely because of this concern about youth enticement.
Will Nicotine Pouches Replace Vapes After the Ban?
With the ban on disposable vapes, there's speculation that some users, particularly younger ones or those seeking discreet nicotine options, might shift towards nicotine pouches. Dr. Ashrafi expresses concern: "While a ban on disposable vapes may reduce their visibility and accessibility – especially among younger users – it’s unlikely to eliminate nicotine use entirely. Some individuals may turn to other forms like nicotine pouches... The concern is that without strong public health messaging, we risk normalising alternative nicotine products and shifting usage rather than reducing it."
Caroline Cerny, Deputy CEO of ASH, notes that while their survey data indicates people have been switching from disposables to reusable vapes rather than returning to smoking (which would be a major public health concern given smoking's significantly greater harm), the marketing of both vapes and nicotine pouches remains an issue. "Both vapes and nicotine pouches are marketed in ways to appeal to young people. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently going through parliament, will give the government powers to restrict marketing, branding and availability of these products. It’s vital that the government prioritises this important piece of legislation."
The Path Forward: Regulation, Education, and Harm Reduction
The UK government's strategy appears to be multifaceted:
- Reduce Youth Uptake: The disposable vape ban, along with proposed restrictions on flavors, packaging, and marketing for all nicotine products (including pouches and reusable vapes) under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aims to make these products less appealing and accessible to under-18s.
- Support Adult Smokers to Quit: Reusable vapes remain legal and are still supported by health bodies like the NHS as a tool to help adult smokers quit cigarettes. The key is ensuring these are not co-opted by youth.
- Manage New Nicotine Products: Nicotine pouches are part of this evolving landscape. While potentially offering a less harmful way for existing adult nicotine users to consume nicotine without inhalation, their regulation needs to be carefully managed to prevent them from becoming a new pathway to addiction for young people.
The challenge lies in striking a balance: making less harmful alternatives accessible to adult smokers who wish to switch from combustible tobacco, while simultaneously protecting children and non-smokers from initiating nicotine use with any product. The effectiveness of the disposable vape ban in achieving these dual goals, and whether it leads to a significant shift towards nicotine pouches or other products, will be closely monitored. The overarching aim, as outlined in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, is to create a "smoke-free generation," which includes tackling youth addiction to all forms of nicotine.
