If you’re a first-time nicotine pouch user, you may be slightly overwhelmed by the pure choice ahead of you. In addition to picking your brand and flavor, you may be uncertain about the strength to choose. The good news is that nicotine pouches are small, affordable, and perfect for trying out to see what works best.
In this article, we’ll explore the important information to consider when deciding what type of pouch to buy.
How much nicotine is in a pouch?
The amount of nicotine in each pouch depends on the product. The market is full of options, from mini pouches to full-size pouches, flavored, unflavored, and more. When comparing strengths, look at the can or product description for an accurate view of what’s inside.
Let’s look at a few examples:
- ON! Mini Pouch (2mg) comes in Citrus, Cinnamon, Wintergreen, Original (unflavored), and more
- ZYN Mini Pouch (3mg) comes in Coffee, Cinnamon, Peppermint, Smooth (unflavored), and more
- Rogue Slim Pouch Strong (6mg) comes in Peppermint, Wintergreen, Apple, Mango, and more
- Velo Mini Pouch Dry Strong (7mg) comes in Dragon Fruit, Spearmint, Peppermint, Citrus Burst, and more
- ON! Mini Pouch (8mg) comes in Cinnamon, Wintergreen, Original (unflavored), and more
As you can see, the same brands that make the pouches with the least amount of nicotine (2mg) also make the strongest (8mg). There is a wide range of nicotine levels to try at the moment.
You can see the pouch strength on the product label. The amount of nicotine in mg is generally per pouch.
Pouches vs mini pouches
You may be wondering about the difference between the terms “pouch” and “mini pouch”? It may even seem that the “mini” option has less nicotine. This can be misleading, because the mini usually refers to the size of the pouch and not necessarily the amount of nicotine inside.
Mini pouches are more popular
The most popular options on the U.S. market are currently mini. You’ll actually find it much harder to buy the regular-sized pouches today, because people naturally opt for the product that lays better against the inside of their lip.
Mini pouches don’t lack nicotine
While these mini pouches are certainly smaller, it doesn’t mean they lack the nicotine of their bulkier counterparts. For example, the strongest option on the bestseller list is the ON! Brand mini pouch, with 8mg per pouch. While there are some larger pouches with more nicotine, these aren’t widely available for purchase.
How much nicotine is right to start with?
You’re probably not going to get advice on what strength of pouch is right for you, but there are some guidelines for other nicotine products that can help you make a decision.
Nicotine gum users who would normally smoke a cigarette within 30 minutes of waking would opt for a 4mg gum product and switch the piece every 1-2 hours. Those who don’t prefer a cigarette this soon in the day are likely to get by easily with the 2mg gum product.
Using that thinking, you could decide that a lower-strength nicotine pouch would be best for light smokers or those who don’t feel they want to use a nicotine product right away—like immediately before you eat breakfast. If you are someone who thinks of having nicotine right when you wake up, you’ll probably find the higher strength nicotine pouches are more to your liking.
The flexibility of nicotine pouches
It's possible that you won't find the first try at a nicotine pouch to be the right amount of nicotine for you. And that's OK. Some people mix and match their pouches to get more nicotine at certain times of the day.
Curating the perfect nicotine pouch experience will take time. You may find that, in addition to the strength of a pouch, you want to experiment with flavors. This alone can help you curate that "just right" day.
What a typical day could look like
Let's say you wake up and want to have just a little nicotine. The 2mg coffee-flavored pouches could be a great fit. They not only wake you up with the gentle buzz of the lowest-strength nicotine, but they also taste similar to that creamy cup of joe you typically enjoy.
Later in the day, like after you’ve eaten your lunch, something energizing, like a 4mg peppermint pouch, may be more your thing. This can give you that extra kick you want to feel productive, alert, and focused.
If you use nicotine in the evenings (and many do), you may prefer something less intense. A flavorless 2mg could put you into the night with the right frame of mind.
Of course, your personal preferences will totally depend on you. You may find you want more or less on certain days of the week or for different activities. And if you live in an area where flavors aren’t sold, this entire scenario may play out with a range of flavorless products.
How familiar are you with nicotine?
It's more common for someone who has already used nicotine to begin using a nicotine pouch. Whether you were a smoker or chewed smokeless tobacco, there's some familiarity with the feeling of using a nicotine product. This can play into how you navigate the world of nicotine pouches. Light smokers or the occasional "dip" fan will likely find the smaller, less-powerful nicotine pouches to be just right.
On the other hand, if you are switching over from a two-pack-a-day cigarette routine, trying the stronger pouch can help you transition more easily.
There’s another group of nicotine users who may come to pouches, too. The nicotine gum and nicotine patch user will more easily match up what they were using before to what’s offered in the pouch aisle.
The top brand of nicotine gum comes in 2mg and 4mg options. Nicotine patches come in 7mg, 14mg, and 21mg, but they’re designed to be used once per day with a continuous release. Given this information, it can be assumed that heavy nicotine users prefer up to 21mg of nicotine a day, something that can easily be enjoyed with the stronger nicotine pouches.
When you find your strength
If you use nicotine pouches for a while and become certain about the strength you like, purchasing just that strength is easier than ever. Bundles of 4mg pouches are sold in a variety of brands and flavors. This keeps things fresh and never boring.
You'll always have just the right 4mg pouch on hand for whatever mood you're in. Also, many shoppers prefer the method of buying multipacks from more than one manufacturer all in one spot. At Prilla, we sell packs by the strength that include offerings from a wide selection of manufacturers. You can mix-and-match the right experience for your nicotine level with ease.
