Nicotine Pouches Credited with Helping Sweden Lower Smoking Rates. Can It Do the Same in the US?
Published on?July 8, 2024
Globally, cigarette smoking is a massive health concern recognized as the leading cause of preventable death and illness. Because of this, local and international leaders have been working hard to stamp out the dangerous habit. Recently, studies revealed that Sweden may have found the key to widespread smoking cessation: nicotine pouches. According to a report in The Parliament Magazine, since first introducing this product to the public in 2016, smoking rates have dropped from 12% to under 6%. As a point of comparison, smoking rates across the rest of the EU hover around 23%.?
As a result of this success, other countries, like Brazil, have been inspired to replicate these results via an?international smoking cessation campaign?called “Quit Like Sweden,” or QLS. Here, nicotine pouches play a central role, with health experts noting that their adoption provides smokers with a safer alternative for cessation. That said, among all developed countries, the US is one of the most adversely affected by widescale cigarette smoking, with smoking-related illnesses costing the economy over $300 billion annually. Given that nicotine pouches have been making a splash in the US as of late, it’s worth asking if these products can aid in cessation here, too.
Understanding Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine pouches have largely been misunderstood in the US. If one were to base one’s understanding of these products on mainstream media alone, they seem like trendy recreational items. The fact that many TikTok influencers have helped pouches like ZYN gain millions of views has only helped fuel this notion. However, the reality of nicotine pouches is much more nuanced.?
Smoke- and tobacco-free, these products come in small white pouches that don’t require any heat to work. Instead, they need only be tucked between the gums and inner cheek to begin releasing a controlled dose of nicotine into the bloodstream. While this can be used for recreational purposes, it can also be helpful for smoking cessation, as mentioned above. This is because pouches come in a variety of strengths and flavors that smokers can utilize to tailor their quit journey without triggering a relapse.
One example is On!, which has flavors like coffee and mint. Meanwhile, Grant has nicotine strengths ranging from 4mg to 50mg. Because of this variety and lack of combustible tobacco,?studies on the efficacy of nicotine pouches?from Cureus note that they can definitely benefit smokers. This is because researchers believe they carry “less risk” than traditional cigarettes while still creating an enjoyable and customizable experience.?
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How Nicotine Pouches Can Impact Smoking in the US
Although most people don’t fully understand the larger pros that nicotine pouches offer, this hasn’t stopped these cigarette alternatives from gaining widespread popularity. As detailed by Prilla’s recent?insights on the global nicotine market, North America, headed by the US, is fast becoming a major consumer of nicotine pouches. As of 2023, the average nicotine pouch user went through about 3.2 cans per week.
Interestingly, while local health officials have not endorsed nicotine pouches as a smoking cessation aid, like Sweden or Brazil, it seems consumers themselves have taken the initiative. The same study above reveals that 20% of current American nicotine pouch users were former cigarette smokers. This underscores the potential that nicotine pouches have in the fight towards broader smoking cessation in the States.?
It’s also important to note that apart from their efficacy and customizability, nicotine pouches can help turn American smokers away from cigarettes thanks to their convenience. In many parts of the US, strict smoke-free laws have been enacted. Nicotine pouches provide a handy workaround that enables users to satisfy their cravings without breaking any regulations. Aside from this, pouches may also see further movement in the US, pending the FDA’s decision on menthol cigarettes.
Previously, there was?talk about banning mint-flavored vape pods, which led brands like JUUL to pull them from the market. Should this occur with cigarettes, the mint-flavored pouches will be a welcome alternative to smokers who would otherwise have to deal with withdrawal. Overall, while the US’ nicotine pouch use is still in its infancy, it has room to grow positively, much like Sweden, where it may help the country ultimately lower its smoking rates.?