Two thirds use nicotine pouches as means of quitting smoking: survey
Two thirds of people in Northern Ireland (66%) have started using nicotine pouches as a way to quit smoking, a new survey reveal.
Nicotine pouches are rising in popularity in the UK, with sales volumes increasing by 93% from 2023 to 2024, with this trend expected to continue.
Currently a legal loophole means there is no minimum age restriction on those wanting to buy nicotine pouches, meaning as a result they could be purchased by children and young people. It is expected that the incoming Tobacco & Vapes Bill will address this issue and close this loophole, with retailers urged to act responsibly and not sell these products to those who are underage.
The disposable vape ban is certainly impacting consumer behaviour, forcing disposable vape users to quit or seek alternative products, but what other factors are encouraging UK residents towards nicotine pouches?
Research from Northerner, part of the Haypp Group shows that the most common reason people started using nicotine pouches was to quit smoking, with 57% per cent of respondents saying this was their main motivation, with 95% said they felt better since making the switch to pouches. The Haypp customer survey was conducted with 1581 nicotine pouch customers across the UK.
According to pouch users in Northern Ireland, the three main advantages of using pouches compared to other nicotine products are that they’re more discreet (69%), they feel healthier (69%) and they’re cheaper (57%).
The majority of users in Northern Ireland typically purchase around three cans per week, according to Northerner, while the average age of pouch users is around 40.
According to pouch users throughout the UK, the main advantages of nicotine pouches over other nicotine products are that they are more discreet (68%), feel healthier (64%) and don’t affect others (54%). On average, users typically purchased around three cans per week, with mint being the most popular flavour.
Nicotine pouches have made headlines recently, with stories about product packaging and flavours being targeted at youth. This research shows the average nicotine pouch user is 33 years old.
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.”
