Nicotine pouches are gaining popularity in the UK, with sales volumes increasing by 93 per cent from 2023 to 2024, according to Northerner, a Haypp Group unit.
The disposable vape ban is certainly impacting consumer behaviour, with many seeking alternative products like nicotine pouches.
But the Northerner's interaction with pouch users showed that the most common reason for the switch was to quit smoking.
Around 57 percent said this was their main motivation, while 95 percent said they felt better since making the switch to pouches.
While nicotine pouch makers have been accused of targeting the youth, this research showed that the average pouch user is 33 years old.
While the North East region tops the list with a 126 percent increase in pouch users, it is followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (119 percent), North West (112 percent), East Midlands (100 percent), West Midlands (96 percent), South West (95 percent), and Scotland (94).
Other areas of the UK that also witnessed an increase in nicotine pouch use, though lower than the UK average, include Wales (92 percent), East of England (88 percent), Greater London (83 percent), and South East (80 percent).
Markus Lindblad, from Northerner, said, “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.”
