Flavoured nicotine products have become popular these days. One perfect example that is common among nicotine product users is a nicotine pouch.
Users often place nicotine pouches between their gums and cheeks. They lack tobacco but contain nicotine, plant-based fibres, flavourings, and sweeteners. Common brand names include Velo and Zyn. These brands come in very colourful packaging similar to a mint container.
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Understanding Pouches
They are small bags that contain addictive nicotine and other ingredients. They lack tobacco leaves in them.
Some companies market nicotine pouches online as safer alternatives to dipping and smoking. But still, it is crucial for us to consult our medical doctors before we use them. This is what sets them apart:
- No vapour or smoke produced.
- Tobacco-free composition.
Pouches Growing in Popularity
Tobacco vendors sell these small bags in attractive packaging. They come in different flavours. These flavours include coffee, citrus, and peppermint.
Moreover, influencers on social media promote the use of these products. They do so by doing taste tests and showing how to use them in their everyday lives.
Nicotine Health Risks
Nicotine, regardless of how you deliver it, is harmful. This is true, particularly for young people. Nicotine is not just toxic to developing fetuses. It is also dangerous for pregnant women. Other health risks include the following:
- Lung cancer
- Heart attack
- Chemotherapy resistance
- Kidney, respiratory, and gastrointestinal disorders
- Brain health issues, including depression and mood swings
- Immune system weakness
- Cardiovascular disorders like hypertension
How Nicotine Pouches Are Different from Other Products
Like e-cigarettes or vapes, these small bags lack tobacco. This means they carry less risk of cancer than traditional smoke. When it comes to delivering nicotine in our bloodstream, a nicotine pouch varies from vaping and smoking in two main ways.
One way is metabolization. By using these products instead of smoking, we let nicotine enter our bloodstream differently. In other words, nicotine enters our circulatory systems quickly in pouch forms.
Another way is through dosage. Since these small bags come in different strengths, some provide more nicotine compared to vapes or cigarettes. A high-dose pouch can quickly build nicotine tolerance.
Does Nicotine Pouch Help to Quit Smoking?
If you prefer using these small bags, talk to a medical doctor first. If you smoke regularly or light up more than 10 times a day, your doctor might recommend another form of NRT that the FDA has approved. These NRT products are effective in supporting quitting smoking cigarettes. We can get most of these products over the counter:
- Lozenges: If you are looking to stop smoking, you can suck these hard candies. Sucking helps to release nicotine slowly while dissolving.
- Gums: Chewing these gums helps to release nicotine as they dissolve in users’ mouths.
- Patches: These are wearables on our skin. They slowly release a small amount of nicotine to reach users’ bloodstream.
In conclusion, through tobacco alternatives, like pouches, we can satisfy our cravings without chewing or smoking. So, whether you are someone looking for new ways to stop smoking or a curious tobacco consumer, these bags are worth a try.
