How strong are nicotine pouches in comparison to cigarettes?

Many cigarette smokers consider switching to smoke-free alternatives like nicotine pouches. When making the tobacco-free step, users may be unsure of which nicotine strength to choose. Here, in this article, the strength of nicotine pouches and cigarettes are compared, aiding this decision so you know what’s comparable.

How do nicotine pouches and cigarettes differ?

Nicotine pouches are a much newer product than cigarettes, and the latter is reducing in popularity, with many ex-smokers converting to pouches and other smokeless nicotine products. But what are the main differences between the two?

Nicotine Pouches	Cigarettes
Placed under the upper lip	Smoked
Come in a variety of flavors and formats	Have a tobacco or menthol flavor.
A wide range of nicotine contents for all tolerances	A smaller range of nicotine content
Do not contain tobacco	Contain tobacco

With the differences highlighted, these will be used to investigate how these affect the differences in product potency.

What is a strong nicotine content?

Nicotine is measured in milligrams (mg), per pouch (mg/pouch), or per gram (mg/g). A low-strength nicotine pouch is considered to be around 4-6 mg/g compared to a robust nicotine pouch that can be upwards of 12 mg/g.

A strong nicotine content differs between users

The word ‘strong’ is subjective and can be viewed differently depending on users' perceptions. For example, those with a low nicotine tolerance may perceive 8 mg/g of nicotine as strong for them. In comparison, an experienced nicotine user will perceive a strong nicotine content as 20 mg/g. Therefore, it is important to know your limits and nicotine tolerance, as a ‘strong’ nicotine pouch may be too much or too little for you.

How do the strongest nicotine pouches and cigarettes compare?

Strong nicotine pouches contain upwards of 12 mg of nicotine per portion. The market for potent products is increasing, and there are many different products to choose from. But how strong do they go?

• Nicotine pouches - 49.5 mg per portion, Siberia -80 All White Maxi
• Cigarettes - 28 mg per cigarette

49.5 mg of nicotine is a lot! If you’re looking to reduce your nicotine content, Siberia Maxi may not be suitable. However, it does mean that the strongest nicotine pouch contains more nicotine than a cigarette.

Factors affecting nicotine pouch strength

It is not just nicotine content that determines the potency of the nicotine pouch experience. Below are the different characteristics that affect the intensity of the experience.

• Moisture content - wetter contents are extracted quicker, increasing potency
• pH - nicotine is absorbed faster in alkaline conditions
• Portion size - the higher the surface area, the more nicotine will be absorbed

Now, you know nicotine content doesn’t always translate to the most robust experience. These factors also have to be in line to ensure a potent sensation.

What is the ranging nicotine content in nicotine pouches and cigarettes?

A range of nicotine contents is key to a brand's success, VELO, for example, as it enables those with differing nicotine tolerances to enjoy the products. But as a whole, across all brands, how does the nicotine pouch strength differ from that of cigarettes?

• Nicotine pouch - 3 to 49.5 mg per portion
• Cigarette - 6 to 28 mg per cigarette

Not only do nicotine pouches have the strongest strength, but the lowest too, meaning those looking to reduce their nicotine intake can do so with low-strength nicotine pouches.

How does the nicotine release differ?

The distinct difference between these two products is the method of use, affecting how quickly and how much nicotine is absorbed. Research has investigated this and concluded:

• In cigarettes, the time to reach maximum nicotine concentration was quicker.
• In nicotine pouches, a higher concentration of nicotine was absorbed.

These findings explain why cigarettes provide a more potent initial nicotine sensation than nicotine pouches because the nicotine is absorbed quickly. But with that said, nicotine pouches deliver more nicotine, suggesting that nicotine pouches are stronger.

An important note: in this study, the nicotine content in the nicotine pouches was not related to the blood nicotine concentrations, highlighting the impact of the physical properties of the portions mentioned above.