How much nicotine is there in nicotine pouches?

The amount of nicotine often referred to as the nicotine strength, varies between different nicotine pouches. This makes it easier for you to choose the nicotine strength that suits you best.

Over time, the body builds up a tolerance to nicotine, which is why more experienced users of nicotine pouches generally use stronger nicotine strengths than those who are less experienced. However, if you stop using nicotine products, this tolerance decreases, which is why you can get a stronger nicotine effect if you haven’t used nicotine pouches for a long time.

Are you curious to know how much nicotine is in nicotine pouches? In this article, we have compiled how much nicotine is in the most common nicotine pouches. But before we take a look at this, let’s clarify some things about nicotine pouches and nicotine.

The nicotine in nicotine pouches is often presented on a scale

“Today, the majority of brands present the nicotine strength on a scale, usually from 1 to 4 or 1 to 5, on a pouch. Some manufacturers use numerical figures, while others use a “pouch system” where pouches correspond to a number.”

Previously, nicotine content in snus was indicated as a percentage as it is relevant consumer information. However, in May 2016, the EU implemented a new tobacco directive which means that Swedish snus manufacturers are no longer required to indicate the nicotine content on the snus can. Since nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco, this law does not apply to nicotine pouches, which is why many nicotine pouch manufacturers still indicate the nicotine content on the can.

As the amount of nicotine found in nicotine pouches is so low, the nicotine content is written in mg or as a percentage. Lower nicotine pouches typically contain less than 1 percent nicotine and most typically range from 1 to 1.5 percent.

For a detailed guide on nicotine strengths and grading systems, we recommend reading this article.

Nicotine strength is usually presented in the following way:

1. Low/Light
2. Medium
3. Strong
4. Extra Strong/X-strong
5. Extra Strong/X-Strong

Note that for some manufacturers using the scale one to four, the nicotine strength for a four may not necessarily be lower than a nicotine pouch rated as a five from a manufacturer using the grading system one to five.

The most detailed information about nicotine strength is obtained by reading the actual nicotine content.

The nicotine content is not the same as nicotine absorption

When we talk about nicotine pouches and their nicotine strength, it is important to note that this is not the same as nicotine uptake.

Several studies have been done on the nicotine content in snus and nicotine uptake when using it. Although nicotine pouches are not the same as tobacco snus, they are used in the same way and the nicotine uptake should therefore be somewhat similar. In these studies, it has been found that less than half of the amount of nicotine in the snus is released during snus use. Furthermore, only between 10-20% of the nicotine in the snus is absorbed into the bloodstream. (Source)

In other words, just because a pouch contains, for example, 10mg of nicotine does not mean that the body absorbs 8mg. The reality is that the body absorbs significantly less than that, about 1-2mg of nicotine.

The exact nicotine uptake can also vary from person to person depending on factors such as saliva production.

The nicotine strength is not the only factor affecting the nicotine experience

As stated above, the majority of the nicotine from a pouch is not absorbed into the bloodstream during use. But when it comes to the nicotine experience itself, the nicotine strength is not the only factor affecting your nicotine experience.

In addition to the nicotine content, factors such as the moisture content of the pouch, pH value, aroma and flavor, and nicotine content can also affect the nicotine experience and how strong you perceive a pouch to be. Of course, the time that you use the pouch also plays an important role in how much nicotine can be absorbed.

Swedish Match comments on it as follows:

“When using snus, nicotine is only absorbed through the oral mucosa… The moisture content and pH value are important for nicotine uptake. With low moisture, the extraction of nicotine decreases, while a high pH value increases the extraction of nicotine from the pouch and thus the nicotine uptake through the oral mucosa.”

Nicotine content in Nicotine Pouches

Below is a compilation of nicotine content in the most common nicotine pouches. The nicotine content has been presented in mg and percentage.

Brand	Strength	Format	Nicotine content/mg	Nicotine content %
ZYN	4	Mini	6mg	1,50%
ZYN	3	Slim	9.0mg	1,10%
ZYN	2	Slim	6.5mg	0,80%
ZYN	2	Mini	3mg	0,75%
ZYN	1	Mini	1.5mg	0,40%
ZYN	5	Mini	9,2mg	1,60%
ZYN	4	Slim	11.0mg	1,40%
Velo	3	Slim	10mg	1,40%
Velo	4	Slim	11mg	1,56%
Velo	2	Slim	5,6mg	0,80%
Velo	2	Mini	6mg	1,20%
Velo	1	Mini	4mg	0,80%
Velo	3	Mini	8mg	1,60%
Shiro	2	Slim	4,8mg	0,8%
Shiro	3	Slim	8,4mg	1,4%
Shiro	4	Slim	9,6mg	1,55%
Shiro	1	Mini	2,2mg	0,6%
Shiro	2	Mini	4,3mg	1,2%
XR Tobacco Free	2	Slim	6.5mg	0,80%
Swave	3	Slim	11mg	1,40%
Swave	2	Mini	6,65mg	1,33%
Zone X	4	Slim	10mg	1,5%
Zone X	2	Slim	8mg	1,1%
Zone X	2	Slim	7mg	1,10%
Zone X	3	Slim	8mg	1,1%
VOLT	5	Slim	12,5mg	1,80%
VOLT	3	Slim	9,5mg	1,36%
VOLT	4	Slim	10,5mg	1,50%
VOLT	1	Slim	4mg	0,57%
VOLT	2	Slim	6,5mg	0,93%
VOLT	2	Mini	2,5mg	0,57%
VOLT	1	Mini	3mg	0,57%