Nicotine alternatives are rising in popularity as smokers continue to look for ways to quit their tobacco habit or find options that are less threatening to their health.
According to figures on TobaccoIntelligence, nicotine pouch sales have increased 300 times since entering the US market in 2016.
Compared to other oral alternatives in the market, nicotine pouches are among the best performers. From the many options available, fruit-flavored nicotine pouches sold more rapidly than mint and other non-fruit or non-mint flavors.
Other nicotine alternatives include nicotine chewing gum, nicotine gummies, and the Swedish snus, which are very similar to nicotine pouches, except that they contain tobacco. Oral nicotine products are gaining traction because they provide a smoke-free way to consume nicotine, unlike traditional or electronic cigarettes. As countries move towards smoking bans for health and environmental reasons, nicotine users may want smokeless options to use in public spaces or establishments that may not allow smoking.
Nicotine Pouches in New Jersey
Nicotine pouches are sold in small tin cans that are easy to carry and store. However, the widespread availability and accessibility of nicotine pouches are still up for debate. According to a study, only 37% of stores in New Jersey have nicotine pouches available, with the market leaders being Zyn and On!, compared to 76% in Kentucky or 46% in North Carolina. In New Jersey, nicotine pouches are more available in convenience stores at 44%, compared to drug stores (8%) and dollar stores (1%). This data is subject to change as retail marketing campaigns adapt to consumer needs, as well as increased regulation by the FDA.
In some areas, vape stores may offer nicotine pouch products as well. Of course, nicotine pouches are also easily accessible online. For example, buying ZYN nicotine pouches online allows you to take advantage of deals from Swedish Match, which has developed products with American consumers in mind. Marketed as a means to reduce tobacco intake, ZYN nicotine pouches come in a variety of flavors and nicotine strengths. For lower costs, buyers can purchase individual nicotine pouch tins or packs of multiple tins online. They can also find benefits like free shipping to their doorstep, which would be more discreet and convenient.
Regulations for Nicotine Pouches
As it is still considered a new and modern product in the market, studies on demographics and sales of nicotine pouches remain limited. In 2021, a bipartisan bill was introduced, designed to give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate synthetic nicotine products as they do with nicotine products made or derived from tobacco. While nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco, they are considered synthetic nicotine and are, therefore, susceptible to future implementations of these regulations. Assessment of how detailed the regulations would be is still pending, even though the FDA may also seek to regulate synthetic nicotine as a drug. The future of nicotine pouches in the US will have to wait for more studies to be conducted that provide results on the long-term effects of the product on the body.
For more news and lifestyle updates in New Jersey, including any future regulations put in place for nicotine pouches in the state, stay tuned to our Lifestyle section.
