Tobacco companies introduce ‘tobacco-free’ nicotine pouches

Abstract

A new product category is emerging with several large tobacco companies now selling ‘tobacco-free’ nicotine pouches. These products are sold as preportioned pouches similar to snus, but instead of containing tobacco leaf, they are filled with white nicotine-containing powder (figure 1). The pouches are placed between the lip and gum, and require no spitting or refrigeration.1 2 At least five large tobacco manufacturers currently sell nicotine pouch products. British American Tobacco sells Lyft in the UK and Sweden,2 3 and Velo (through RJ Reynolds Vapor Company) in the USA.4 Swedish Match sells Zyn in Europe and the USA,5 Kretek International sells Dryft in the USA1 and Japan Tobacco International sells Nordic Spirit in Sweden.6 Moreover, Altria recently agreed to acquire 80% of …