As the trend of ZYN and other nicotine pouches keeps growing, many users are curious about these items. The idea might seem straightforward—insert a pouch into your lip and savor the experience—but the question remains: when should you throw it away? What is the lifespan of nicotine pouches? This article aims to clarify what you can anticipate from your preferred nicotine pouches.
Utilizing nicotine pouches
Before we delve into details, let’s briefly discuss the correct way to use nicotine pouches.
Position the pouch in a cozy spot between the lip and the gum. The upper lip, to one side, is suggested. You might feel a slight tingle or burn from the nicotine for a short while; this is typical. Leave the pouch in place and let the flavors unfold and the nicotine to be absorbed. Finally, remove it from your mouth and discard it in a trash receptacle. (Most pouch brands, including ZYN, feature a concealed compartment in their tins to store used pouches conveniently while you’re out and about.)
What is the activation time for ZYN?
ZYN and other dry nicotine pouches typically begin to take effect within a couple of minutes. Dry pouches depend on the body’s own saliva to release the nicotine, so a bit of patience is necessary.
In contrast, moist pouches do not require the initial trigger from saliva. With their higher moisture content, the nicotine starts to work almost immediately.
What is the duration of nicotine pouches?
The typical time it takes for the nicotine and flavors to be fully released is generally between 20 and 60 minutes, although this timeframe can differ based on various elements.
Size of the pouch: Nicotine pouches come in different sizes, including mini, slim, and large. Bigger pouches tend to last for a longer period.
Strength of the nicotine: There is a common notion that stronger pouches endure longer. While this could be accurate, it is up for debate. Regardless of the strength, the absorption rate of nicotine is likely to be similar. However, the impact of nicotine might be felt for a longer time with stronger pouches.
Flavor profile: Some robust flavors, like mint and menthol, often persist longer than subtle or delicate flavors. Consider it akin to chewing gum: mint flavors usually outlast fruity ones.
Dry versus moist pouches: Dry pouches offer a gradual and consistent release of nicotine, often over a slightly extended period. Moist pouches provide an intense initial surge of nicotine, but the flavor and effects may diminish more rapidly.
Freshness: Pouches that are not stored correctly or have expired will not last as long as fresh ones. Nicotine and flavors lose their strength over time and when exposed to light, heat, and oxygen. Adhere to proper storage methods to maintain the freshness of your nicotine pouches.
Individual preferences: Users have varying criteria for deciding when a pouch has reached its end. For some, it might be the moment the first reduction in flavor is noticed. Others might keep it in their mouth until every last trace of flavor and nicotine has been extracted.
How long do ZYNs endure?
According to ZYN’s U.S. website, ZYN pouches can provide “up to one hour of genuine nicotine satisfaction.” Conversely, the company’s UK website asserts only “up to 30 minutes.” Such estimates are intended to set expectations, but they don’t necessarily reflect the actual duration a ZYN may last.
Irrespective of manufacturer suggestions, how long do ZYN pouches function in a practical setting? Similar to most pouches, ZYNs typically offer at least 25 to 30 minutes of enjoyment for the majority of individuals. This isn’t necessarily the point at which they should be thrown away, but rather when users start to notice a significant decrease in flavor and effects.
How do I determine when to discard my nicotine pouch?
The duration for which a nicotine pouch should be kept in the mouth is a personal decision. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Simply dispose of it when it ceases to be satisfying or when you’ve had sufficient nicotine.
When using any form of nicotine product, it’s crucial to be attentive to the body’s reaction to prevent overindulgence. An excess of nicotine can lead to “nic sickness,” characterized by symptoms such as dizziness, an increased heart rate, nausea, headaches, etc. This is unpleasant and should be avoided. For a novice or infrequent user, keeping a pouch in place for five to ten minutes might be sufficient. Others may relish nicotine pouches for a considerably longer period without any discomfort. (Note: The nicotine from a pouch may continue to be absorbed through your gums into your bloodstream for several minutes after you’ve thrown away the pouch.)
How long does the ZYN sensation last?
The initial surge experienced after inserting a ZYN typically stabilizes after 10 to 15 minutes. Nonetheless, the broader effects of nicotine can persist for much longer.
Nicotine from pouches is absorbed relatively slowly into the bloodstream—at least in comparison to vaping or smoking—so the subtle effects can endure for over an hour after discarding a ZYN. The duration will vary among individuals. Much of it hinges on your tolerance, the quantity of nicotine consumed, hydration level, and metabolism.
While the question probably doesn’t come up frequently in conversation, at some point, the majority of ZYN consumers have probably wondered whether it’s safe to swallow spit from ZYN nicotine pouches. Fortunately, we’ve got some good news for you. The short answer is Yes, you can swallow ZYN spit. We have all of the answers you’re looking for. It’s time to learn the truth about ZYN pouches.
But first, let’s quickly discuss what ZYN nicotine pouches are. ZYN pouches are smoke-, spit-, and tobacco leaf-free pouches that don’t need batteries or refills. This means that they’re easy to enjoy on the go and almost anywhere you go. ZYN is available in a range of flavors and strengths..
Can zyn nicotine pouches be swallowed?
The real question isn’t whether you can swallow ZYN nicotine pouches, but whether you should. According to ZYN’s website, “the nicotine and other food-grade ingredients in ZYN are not harmful to adults if consumed in small amounts.” However, we advise consulting a doctor immediately if you swallow a ZYN nicotine pouch.
Can you swallow youur saliva while using Zyn?
Yes, you can definitely swallow your saliva while using ZYN nicotine pouches, but doing so may eventually cause irritation to your throat tissues. The decision to swallow your saliva or not while using ZYN pouches is largely a matter of personal preference. Some individuals dislike swallowing their saliva, or the “ZYN juice,” during use due to the taste or the subsequent sensation. Others, however, find pleasure in swallowing their saliva from ZYN nicotine pouches, primarily because it enhances the absorption of nicotine.
Do you need to spit when using zyn?
ZYN, a form of oral nicotine, has been crafted with a user-friendly design that reduces saliva production, thereby removing the need for spitting. Unlike conventional smokeless tobacco products like snus, ZYN is entirely spit-free. This means that once you position a ZYN pouch beneath your upper lip, you can savor a spit-less experience without any hassle.
What happens if you swallow zyn？
Ingesting the contents and components of a ZYN pouch would undoubtedly be unpleasant. Many pouches contain flavored nicotine salts. If you swallow one, you’re likely to experience a stomach ache. However, consuming an excessive number of nicotine pouches could have serious consequences, so exercise caution.
Regardless of how you phrase the question, the answer remains consistent—do not swallow ZYN pouches. If you adhere to this one rule, you’ll be in good hands.
Customs Minister Casey Costello has reduced the excise tax on heated tobacco products. Image: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has lowered the excise tax on Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs), with the intention of making them more appealing as a substitute for smoking.
Costello, who also serves as Customs Minister, has decreased the excise rate on HTPs by 50 percent, effective from 1 July—a change quietly posted on the Customs website.
Costello declined to be interviewed by RNZ, but a spokesperson stated that her decision to lower the cost of these products was to motivate smokers to transition to less harmful options.
However, Janet Hoek, a Professor of Public Health at the University of Otago, mentioned to RNZ that the action appeared to be biased towards the tobacco industry.
“Indeed, that is a development that tobacco companies would have eagerly anticipated,” Hoek remarked. “This is not guidance that originates from the Ministry (of Health). It certainly appears to be counsel that aligns with the interests of the tobacco industry.”
The tobacco behemoth Philip Morris possesses a prominent brand in the HTP market, the IQOS, which involves inserting tobacco sticks into a device where they are heated instead of combusted.
Philip Morris has advocated for a reduction in the excise tax on HTPs, suggesting to the Tax Working Group in 2018 that the government ought to “set a tax rate for heated tobacco products markedly lower than the tax rate” applied to tobacco.
In a statement to RNZ, Costello mentioned that vaping has been an effective tool for quitting smoking and she is interested in exploring whether HTPs could also serve as a valuable cessation aid.
“Vaping is not effective for everyone, and some individuals attempting to quit have made multiple attempts. HTPs share a comparable risk profile with vapes and are currently legally accessible, so we are examining the effects of halving the excise on those products,” Costello explained.
Costello’s curiosity in tobacco and nicotine products that do not involve smoking Earlier this year, the government discontinued Labour’s smokefree initiative, which health authorities had characterized as an “ultimate objective” for the tobacco industry in New Zealand.
These actions would have drastically reduced the number of tobacco retailers from 6,000 to 600, removed 95 percent of the nicotine from cigarettes, and established a generation free from smoking by prohibiting sales to anyone born after 2009.
Costello has expressed her dedication to the Smokefree 2025 target and is also contemplating whether permitting the sale of oral nicotine products, such as snus and nicotine pouches, could contribute to achieving this objective.
Ministry of Health documents indicate that in March, Costello suggested to a Cabinet committee to “consent in principle to allowing the sale of tobacco and nicotine products that do not involve smoking, provided the evidence demonstrates they are considerably less harmful than smoking.”
However, the ministry cautioned Costello against allowing the sale of snus and nicotine pouches.
“On balance, we do not endorse expanding the variety of nicotine products available for purchase in New Zealand,” it stated. “Additional products may exacerbate existing concerns regarding young individuals’ dependency on nicotine with minimal advantage.”
The ministry informed Costello that there was “insufficient evidence” that snus aids people in quitting smoking. “The risk of feeling addicted may be greater for snus than for tobacco that is smoked. The use of snus may heighten the risk of certain health issues.”
The ministry expressed concerns about nicotine pouches, noting that they are a novel product with growing concerns surrounding them.
“There is not reliable evidence to date to substantiate their potential use as a lower-risk alternative to smoking, and there is currently no evidence of their efficacy for smoking cessation,” officials communicated to Costello.
“There is evidence of them being promoted to children in other countries, and they are linked with nicotine reliance and addiction. Children, adolescents, and non-smokers are deemed at high risk of dependence.”
In her statement to RNZ, the Minister adopted a more cautious stance on nicotine pouches compared to what was suggested in the Cabinet committee document.
“I have reservations about nicotine pouches, which appear to be aimed at young individuals,” Costello stated.
The Associate Health Minister indicated that she would continue to seek counsel regarding the efficacy and safety of alternatives to smoking.
“If there are tobacco or nicotine products that are significantly less harmful than smoking—that is, they have a comparable risk profile to vaping—then I want advice on whether it’s beneficial to have them accessible to assist people in quitting smoking,” she said.
“The balance we need to achieve is to prevent young individuals from becoming addicted to nicotine. New Zealand did not have any regulations concerning vaping until it was too late, and youth vaping became unmanageable.”
Nicotine pouches, which users position between the gum and the lip to absorb nicotine into the bloodstream, are aggressively marketed to young individuals by influencers on TikTok and Instagram.
Major tobacco companies have capitalized on nicotine pouches as an alternative source of income.
Philip Morris acquired Swedish Match, the producer of the Zyn brand of nicotine pouches, for $27 billion in 2022.
British American Tobacco, the owner of the Velo and Lyft brands of nicotine pouches, has advocated for the government to legalize these products in New Zealand. ”
The government’s omission to include smokeless oral nicotine products within the same regulatory framework as vaping products represents a substantial missed opportunity for progressing Smokefree 2025,” it remarked in a 2021 submission on the government’s smokefree strategies.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — From Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League to news networks and social media, nicotine pouches have made their presence well-known. Like many vaping products, people see these pouches as an alternative to tobacco. Could these pouches be the new vaping? Their recent growth in popularity has some people wondering if they will become popular among young people, similar to vaping products.
What are nicotine pouches?
Adrienne Duke-Marks, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System human sciences specialist, explained that nicotine pouches are a relatively new introduction to consumers.
“Nicotine pouches made their debut in the United States market in 2016, and their sales have surged in recent years,” Duke-Marks stated.
Nicotine pouches are tiny, oral pouches filled with nicotine salts and various other ingredients. Some of the well-known brands of these products include Zyn, Velo, and Rogue. These pouches do not contain tobacco. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration still oversees them because federal law classifies any item containing nicotine derived from tobacco as a tobacco product.
Users place these pouches between their lips and gums, allowing the nicotine to be absorbed through the mouth. Unlike snuff or chewing tobacco, there is no need to expel this product. This characteristic appeals to individuals seeking a more convenient and cleaner method of nicotine consumption. FOX Sports reported in early 2023 that certain MLB players have adopted these products due to bans on oral tobacco.
“These pouches come in a variety of flavors and can be consumed inconspicuously,” noted Duke-Marks, who is also an associate professor in the Auburn University College of Human Sciences. “The pouches bear resemblance to Swedish snus, which is actually recognized by the FDA as one of the few products linked to tobacco harm reduction.”
The term tobacco harm reduction is associated with the use of less harmful nicotine products instead of conventional nicotine products, such as cigarettes.
Impacts on Well-being
As vaping products rose in popularity in the early 2010s, individuals questioned their impacts on health. Today, there is a better understanding of their effects on the brain, heart, lungs, and cancer risks. Similarly, curiosity may arise about the health effects of nicotine pouches and how they compare to vaping and traditional tobacco.
Pouches can vary in nicotine content. Duke-Marks emphasized that it is crucial to remember that all forms of nicotine are addictive and can negatively affect adolescent brain development.
“Nicotine pouches actually have lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to other nicotine products,” she mentioned. “However, the high nicotine concentrations in some of these pouches are a cause for concern, especially for youth who have never smoked. Currently, there are no long-term studies on the effects of nicotine pouches on the mouth or other bodily systems.”
Utilization Among Young Individuals
Research conducted over the past several years indicates a consistent rise in the number of U.S. middle- and high-school students employing electronic nicotine devices. For nicotine pouches, retailers have observed a surge in sales. However, Duke-Marks noted that there has not been extensive research to investigate self-reported use of nicotine pouches among youth or adults.
“As with other novel nicotine products, youth and young adults are frequently the first to experiment with new substances and popularize their usage,” Duke-Marks commented. “However, a recent study on marketing in the U.S. has not discovered that they (companies) are specifically aiming at youth audiences at this juncture.”
Will these nicotine pouches become the next vaping trend? At this stage, further research is required before experts can provide an answer to that question. Nonetheless, parents and guardians can leverage the popularity of these pouches as an opportunity to discuss nicotine with young individuals.
“If you simply tell young people that you do not want them to smoke or vape, you are not addressing the primary substance that causes addiction in teens,” Duke-Marks remarked. “Speak to them about the perils of nicotine and the influence of addiction on the body and mind. Focus more on the substance and less on the method of introducing it into the system.”
Additional Information
Alabama Extension’s human sciences team offers resources that can assist you in having this conversation with your child or young adult. These resources encompass topics such as smoking, vaping, cigarillos, pouches, hookah/shisha, and others. To locate these resources, search for these topics at www.aces.edu. You can also visit the website’s Health section under the Home and Family topic area.
Please be aware that the trade and brand names utilized in this publication are provided for informational purposes solely. No warranty, endorsement, or discrimination among comparable products is intended or implied by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
Nicotine pouches are being utilized as an alternative to weight loss medications such as Wegovy and Ozempic.
Nicotine is recognized as an appetite suppressant but it carries numerous health risks.
Dangers of oral nicotine products include stomach discomfort, dental decay, and specific types of cancer.
Experts suggest that you can naturally reduce your appetite through lifestyle adjustments.
Instagram and TikTok users are advocating for the use of Zyn brand nicotine pouches as a method to suppress appetite in a trend that has been dubbed “O-Zyn-pic” — a cost-effective alternative to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Content creators are asserting that the $5 servings of flavored nicotine have aided them in shedding up to 30 pounds.
Nevertheless, while nicotine might assist in diminishing appetite, health professionals are voicing their worries about this troubling trend and the health risks linked to nicotine.
Health dangers of Zyn nicotine pouches
Zyn pouches are positioned between your lip and gums, and the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream.
“Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, which can result in psychological and physiological dependence, as well as withdrawal symptoms upon stopping use,” notes Amy Reichelt, PhD, Chief Innovation Officer at PurMinds Neuropharma.
With GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic being very costly and prescription medications that are only appropriate for a specific group of individuals, Reichelt isn’t astonished that people are turning to nicotine products that are easily accessible to the general public to assist with weight loss.
As an appetite suppressant, it can be quite effective.
“Nicotine can influence appetite in various ways, including modifying activity in reward processing brain circuits through stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, and also through affecting the activity of the appetite-regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin,” Reichelt elaborates.
Nonetheless, she believes the health risks aren’t worth it.
In the short term, she says nicotine pouches can lead to a variety of side effects, particularly at higher doses, such as:
nausea
headache
dizziness
throat irritation
gastrointestinal discomfort
In the long term, the risks can be more severe.
“Nicotine can have immediate cardiovascular effects, including raising heart rate and blood pressure, which may pose risks for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions,” she explains.
Nicotine use is also linked to an increased risk of stroke and different types of cancer.
A study of 44 nicotine pouch products and two nicotine-free pouches published in 2022 discovered that 26 of the samples contained cancer-causing chemicals known as tobacco-specific nitrosamines.
Nicotine pouches may damage your dental health as well
“Oral nicotine products primarily consist of nicotine, flavorings, a pH buffer, filling agents, as well as a small amount of harmful tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), metal, and formaldehyde,” Reichelt hypothesizes. “Since nicotine pouches are placed in the mouth against the gum, there is research exploring whether these pouches contribute to periodontal disease and harm to the gums that can result in tooth loss or decay.”
A 2023 study discovered that when applied to the same area of the mouth consistently, Nicotine can contribute to periodontitis, the primary cause of tooth loss.
