What Are Nicotine Pouches? A Beginner’s Guide to OND
Heard people talking about snus lately? Traditional snus (pronounced ‘snoose’ like goose) is a smokeless high-nicotine oral tobacco product that is banned in the UK. Sometimes, the word snus is used to refer to tobacco-free nicotine pouches, which are legal in the UK.
Nicotine pouches are an oral nicotine delivery system for adults also known as OND (Oral Nicotine Delivery). It’s an alternative nicotine product that offers flavour in a more discreet way than vaping.
New ZONE tobacco-free snus are nicotine pouches that come in a choice of new flavours in either 10mg or 11mg nicotine. ZONE comes in a can of 20 pouches complete with a handy waste compartment in the lid for used pouches.
Where did Snus Come From?
Originating in Sweden in the 16th century, smokeless nicotine products have emerged as a popular choice particularly since the disposable vape ban in the UK. This beginner’s guide to nicotine pouches breaks down everything you need to know about OND and ZONE.
What Are Nicotine Pouches?
Nicotine pouches are small, white sachets (that look like little pillows for mice) designed to deliver nicotine into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth.
To use a nicotine pouch, you simply place it between your upper lip and gum and wait while it releases nicotine and flavour over the next 30 minutes.
ZONE is a type of tobacco-free snus and unlike other smokeless tobacco products like traditional snus, these nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco leaf. They come in a small can that fits into your pocket so they’re super discreet and easy to bring with you wherever you go.
ZONE nicotine pouches offer:
• Fast acting nicotine Intensity
• Intense and long-lasting flavour
• Soft pouch material to ensure comfort
• Varied range of flavours
• Swedish made quality
What’s in Nicotine Pouches?
ZONE nicotine pouches are made from a blend of plant-based fibres, food-grade flavourings, and pharmaceutical-grade nicotine with zero calorie sweetener, sucralose, water and salt for an intense and balanced flavour.
Its discreet, slim format and soft pouch material gives a comfortable mouthfeel complementing the long-lasting flavour.
ZONE ingredients include:
Each ZONE pouch contains high quality ingredients, including:
• Nicotine: high quality pharmaceutical grade nicotine extracted from tobacco leaves.
• Blend of plant-based fibres
• Flavouring and sweeteners: high quality, food grade.
For full details, please see the base of the can.
Zone Nicotine PouchFlavours
ZONE comes in a variety of strengths and flavours including:
• ZONE Cool mint has an intense taste of peppermint, with a refreshingly cool blast. Cool Mint has 11mg nicotine per pouch to offer an intense nicotine experience.
• ZONE Sweet Mint is a fresh, sweet minty flavour with a refreshingly cool blast. Sweet Mint has 10mg nicotine per pouch to deliver an intense nicotine experience.
• ZONE Berry Blast combines a blast of red berry flavours with a hint of spicy vanilla. Berry Blast has 11mg nicotine per pouch for an intense nicotine experience.
• ZONE Juicy peach offers a sweet, intense and yet balanced taste combo of peach and black tea with a hint of hibiscus. Juicy Peach has 10mg nicotine per pouch and delivers an intense nicotine experience.
• ZONE Watermelon Ice has an intense sweet taste of watermelon with a cooling finish of icy mint. Watermelon Ice has 11mg nicotine per pouch for an intense nicotine experience.
Benefits of Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine pouches are discreet, odourless, and don’t produce smoke or vapour making them ideal for use in places where smoking or vaping is prohibited.
ZONE is also a tobacco-free nicotine pouch so contains no tobacco, just pharmaceutical grade nicotine. OND can be used where cigarettes and vapes can’t, such as in offices, public transport and pubs.
Their convenience and portability make them especially appealing for adult nicotine users looking for a more discreet option.
• Tobacco-free
• Smoke-free
• Discreet and portable
• Variety of flavours and strengths
How Many People Use OND in the UK?
The UK now has over 590,000 nicotine pouch users, with usage among 18–34-year-olds more than doubling between 2023 and 2025, according to Tobacco Insider.
The average British nicotine pouch user consumes three cans per week with Mint being the most popular flavour, followed by fruit flavours and then citrus.
In Great Britain, OND is most popular in Scotland, with the lowest usage being in the Northeast of England according to the Haypp UK Nicotine Report 2025.
Are Nicotine Pouches Legal in the UK?
Yes, nicotine pouches are legal in the UK. Unlike traditional snus, which is banned in the UK due to its tobacco content, nicotine pouches are regulated under general product safety laws. However, they are not currently subject to the same restrictions as tobacco or vaping products.
How do Nicotine Pouches Work?
Simply Place, Taste and Waste; here’s how to use nicotine pouches:
Place the pouch between your upper lip and gum.
Taste the flavour and wait for the nicotine to start to be absorbed, which should happen within 5 minutes. One pouch will usually last for around 30 minutes.
Waste responsibly by disposing of the pouch after 20 - 30 minutes. Zone cans come with a special lid you can store used pouches in until you’re able to dispose of them.
ZONE nicotine pouches offer a smoke-free, discreet, and convenient way to consume nicotine with no smoke, and no mess, just nicotine and flavour.
Wondering where to buy nicotine pouches in the UK? You can get them right here through zonepouch.com.
About the author
Kate Thompson is a lifestyle writer who has been widely published for over 20 years in digital content; she is well-versed in the latest developments in the UK nicotine industry.
