Nicotine pouches are rising in popularity in the UK, with sales volumes increasing by 93 per cent from 2023 to 2024, and this trend is expected to continue, shows a recent report.
Northerner, part of the Haypp Group, spoke to nicotine pouch users and found that the most common reason people started using nicotine pouches was to quit smoking, with 57 per cent saying this was their main motivation, with 95 per cent said they felt better since making the switch to pouches.
According to pouch users, the main advantages of nicotine pouches over other nicotine products are that they are more discreet (68 per cent), feel healthier (64 per cent) and don’t affect others (54 per cent).
On average, users typically purchased around three cans per week, and mint was the most popular flavour.
Nicotine pouches have made headlines recently, with stories about product packaging and flavours being targeted at youth. However, this research shows the average nicotine pouch user is 33 years old.
Looking at areas across the UK, some regions have seen an even bigger increase in nicotine pouch use, including:
- North East - 126 per cent
- Yorkshire and the Humber - 119 per cent
- North West - 112 per cent
- East Midlands - 100 per cent
- West Midlands - 96 per cent
- South West - 95 per cent
- Scotland 94 per cent
Other areas of the UK seeing a spike in nicotine pouch use, but lower than the UK average, are:
- Wales - 92 per cent
- East of England - 88 per cent
- Greater London - 83 per cent
- South East - 80 per cent
Markus Lindblad, from Northerner, said, “Following the disposable vape ban here in the UK, we anticipated a rise in nicotine pouch use as vape users transitioned to alternative products.
"We expect the increase in nicotine pouch use to continue as more people become aware of them as an alternative to smoking. There is a legal loophole that means that there is no minimum age to purchase nicotine pouches.
"This loophole will be closed by the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in due course, but until then, it’s critical that access to these products is limited to adult nicotine users, and it's up to responsible retailers to make sure this is the case.
"Online retailers and brick-and-mortar store retailers must act responsibly until the loophole is closed.”