TobaccoReporter logo

Tag: Nicotine Pouches

  • Tobacco-Free Pouches Are Not Milder Alternative for Mucosa: Study 

    Tobacco-Free Pouches Are Not Milder Alternative for Mucosa: Study 

    A clinical study by Folktandvården Stockholm and the Karolinska Institutet found that tobacco-free nicotine pouches and traditional tobacco-containing snus produce different oral mucosal reactions. While both products were associated with increased tissue thickening as use increased, nicotine pouch users more frequently exhibited inflammatory changes such as erythema and, in some cases, ulceration, making their effects less predictable than those seen with traditional snus.

    The study, which evaluated 272 adults aged 18–30, found no increased risk of cavities or periodontitis in either group over up to six years of use, but researchers said the findings highlight the need for further research into the oral health effects of nicotine pouches and different flavor formulations.

  • Cyclone Publishes Nicotine-Free Vape, Pouch Data

    Cyclone Publishes Nicotine-Free Vape, Pouch Data

    Cyclone Pods published complete third-party laboratory test results for its nicotine-free vape and botanical pouch product lines, including the testing laboratories, analytical methods, and individual sample findings rather than summary data. The company said its Gust Pro and Lightning vape products were tested by ISO 17025-accredited Legend Technical Services using LC-MS/MS, with nicotine, diacetyl, and vitamin E acetate reported as not detected in 15 of 16 samples at the stated detection threshold. The company also disclosed the one sample in which a trace amount of nicotine was detected.

    Its Focus Pouches were tested by A2LA-accredited Certified Laboratories using ICP-MS and HPLC methods, with all pesticides and residual solvents reported as not detected, heavy metals measured at trace levels, and caffeine testing at 113% of the labeled amount. Cyclone Pods said the publication of complete laboratory reports, including methodologies and sample-by-sample results, is intended to provide greater transparency for retailers and consumers regarding its nicotine-free product portfolio.

  • Survey Finds 95% Happy Moving from Cigarettes to Pouches

    Survey Finds 95% Happy Moving from Cigarettes to Pouches

    A growing number of UK consumers are turning to nicotine pouches as an alternative to cigarettes and e-cigarettes, according to Haypp’s fourth annual Nicotine Pouch Report. Based on a survey of more than 2,000 nicotine pouch users, the report found that 68% began using pouches to quit smoking, vaping, or both. Forty-three percent said they switched to quit smoking, 40% to quit vaping, and 15% were seeking to stop using both products.

    The survey found that users were primarily drawn to nicotine pouches because they perceived them as healthier (64%), more discreet (64%), and less likely to affect others (52%). Among respondents who switched from cigarettes, 95% reported feeling better after making the change, while 76% reported encouraging others to switch. The products are most commonly used at home (85%) and at work (79%), reflecting their discreet nature.

    Haypp said the findings suggest the UK nicotine market is shifting following the disposable vape ban and the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Act, and that the changing regulatory landscape is prompting more adult nicotine users to explore alternatives that do not involve inhalation.

  • Quitting Smoking Motivated Nearly Half of Pouch Users: Study

    Quitting Smoking Motivated Nearly Half of Pouch Users: Study

    Haypp Group, the parent company of Nicokick.com and Northerner.com, released its Nicotine Pouch and Oral Nicotine Report 2026, based on purchasing data from more than 172,000 customers and a survey of 2,245 adult nicotine pouch users. The report found that 46% of respondents said quitting smoking, vaping, or both was a reason they first tried nicotine pouches, while 88% had previously used another nicotine product before adopting pouches. The average age of a first-time online nicotine pouch purchaser was 45, and adults aged 55 to 64 represented the fastest-growing customer segment in 2025.

    The report also highlighted differences between online and physical retail channels. Among surveyed customers, 98% recalled completing age verification when purchasing online, compared with 75% for purchases made in physical stores. Respondents who reported obtaining nicotine pouches while underage most commonly cited local shops (52%), friends (23%), and supermarkets (10%), while only 5% reported obtaining them online. Haypp Group said sales through Nicokick.com and Northerner.com increased 22% in 2025 after adjusting for sales interruptions in certain states and supply constraints affecting leading brands. The company noted that the survey reflects the experiences of its own customers and is not intended to represent the broader U.S. nicotine pouch market.

  • Smokeless Only Products Growing in Nicotine Market: Report

    Smokeless Only Products Growing in Nicotine Market: Report

    Smokeless nicotine products, including nicotine pouches, continued to gain share in the U.S. nicotine market, with NielsenIQ and Goldman Sachs data showing the segment up more than 8% year over year for the 52 weeks ended May 30. While cigarettes still accounted for nearly 70% of the total nicotine category, sales declined 2.4%. Cigars fell about 1%, and vapes recorded double-digit declines. Grand View Research projects U.S. nicotine pouch sales to grow at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 25% through 2033, positioning the segment as the fastest-growing area within smokeless tobacco.

    The report said market concentration remains high, with Altria Group, British American Tobacco plc, and Swedish Match accounting for more than 90% of smokeless nicotine sales.

  • ALP Plans Expansion into 11 International Markets

    ALP Plans Expansion into 11 International Markets

    ALP announced that it will launch online sales for its nicotine pouches in 11 international markets starting in July, CEO Lorenzo De Plano told Reuters. De Plano said ALP, co-owned by Tucker Carlson and Turning Point Brands, is currently the fourth- or fifth-largest nicotine pouch brand in the United States with roughly 2% market share, and plans to expand its European presence to become the second-largest brand in the European Union by 2030. The rollout will begin in Britain, Ireland, Greece, Switzerland, and Romania in July, followed by additional launches across the Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Denmark later in 2026, with in-store retail expansion in the U.K. targeted for 2027.

    The company said it has secured manufacturing capacity in Lithuania for 20 million units in 2026 and 50 million units in 2027, and is also expanding supplier agreements to support production and distribution growth. ALP also entered a marketing partnership with former UFC champion Conor McGregor to support international expansion efforts.

  • Health Canada Issues Recall for Zyn, Siberia Pouches

    Health Canada Issues Recall for Zyn, Siberia Pouches

    Health Canada issued a nationwide recall for Siberia and ZYN nicotine pouches last week, saying the products are being sold without market authorization. The recall covers Siberia 35 mg pouches and Zyn 6 mg varieties across multiple flavors and all lots, with officials classifying it as a Type II risk, meaning potential temporary health effects but low likelihood of serious harm.

    Consumers are advised to check whether their products are affected, contact their healthcare provider before stopping use, and report any adverse effects or safety concerns to Health Canada, which is also directing users to the recalling firm for further information.

  • Nicotine Pouch Use Surging with Young Canadians

    Nicotine Pouch Use Surging with Young Canadians

    New research from the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit suggests nicotine pouch use among young Canadians has surged dramatically, with more than one-third (34.8%) of respondents aged 17 to 27 reporting they had tried the products by 2026, up from 7.6% in 2022. The longitudinal study, which tracks approximately 3,400 young Canadians, found recent use also climbed sharply, with the share of respondents reporting nicotine pouch use in the previous month rising from 1% to 8.5% over the same period. Researchers said the rapid growth was unexpected and noted that only about one-third of pouch users were cigarette smokers, indicating substantial uptake among non-smokers.

    The findings come as debate continues over Canada’s restrictions on nicotine pouches, which were limited to pharmacy sales in 2024. Health advocates cited the study as evidence supporting strict regulation to prevent youth uptake, while industry representatives and some conservative politicians have argued that broader access could help adult smokers switch from cigarettes and reduce illicit market activity. The research also found that 97% of pouch users had previously tried vaping, with use particularly high among males and in Alberta, underscoring concerns that nicotine pouches are emerging as a fast-growing category among younger consumers.

  • Pouch Popularity Forcing Retailers to Reshape the Backbar

    Pouch Popularity Forcing Retailers to Reshape the Backbar

    According to an analysis by industry publication CSStoreDecisions, convenience retailers are increasingly reshaping tobacco and nicotine category strategies as declining cigarette volumes, rapid growth in nicotine pouches, evolving FDA regulations and shifting consumer preferences transform the backbar. While cigarettes remain the category’s primary revenue driver, retailers reported growing segmentation between premium brands and lower-priced fourth-tier offerings as price-sensitive consumers seek value. Meanwhile, oral nicotine pouches continue to be the industry’s strongest growth segment, driven by consumer migration from cigarettes and traditional smokeless products, aggressive promotions, and expanding flavor and strength options.

    Retailers interviewed by the publication said regulatory uncertainty and rapidly changing manufacturer priorities are forcing constant adjustments to shelf space and assortment decisions. Vape sales have stabilized following years of disruption and increased FDA enforcement, while traditional smokeless tobacco continues to face structural declines as its consumer base ages. Industry operators emphasized that success increasingly depends on localized merchandising, compliance, disciplined pricing and balancing established tobacco products with fast-growing modern nicotine alternatives, particularly as consumer behavior becomes more fluid across multiple product categories.

  • Zest Gets Injunction Against FDA for Pouches

    Zest Gets Injunction Against FDA for Pouches

    Zest Brands LLC announced that it secured a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, allowing its ZEO Universe nicotine pouch products to remain on the U.S. market while the company challenges an FDA Refuse-to-File (RTF) decision related to its May 2022 Premarket Tobacco Product Applications. The injunction temporarily stays the FDA’s action as the case proceeds through the courts.

    According to the company, the court found Zest Brands is likely to succeed on claims that the FDA failed to adequately assess the impact of its 2021 PMTA regulations on small businesses, as required under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The court also indicated that aspects of the agency’s actions may have been “arbitrary and capricious.” Zest said it remains committed to working with the FDA to complete the PMTA process and is currently in discussions with strategic and financial partners to support future growth.