The sheer convenience of nicotine pouches and the freedom of use they provide are making them a highly attractive choice for consumers looking for safer nicotine alternatives. But are they replacing vaping?
Key Takeaways: Nicotine Pouches vs. Vaping
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Nicotine pouches are growing fast, with a 42% year-over-year rise in volume.
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Vaping still leads in market size, but its growth is slowing.
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Dual use is common - many switch between the two based on convenience.
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Regulations and potential flavour bans are pushing users to explore alternatives.
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Both markets are growing, with innovation and legislation shaping future trends.
Nicotine pouches are rapidly growing in popularity in the UK. In this article, we'll look at why people are switching to them, how the nicotine alt market is changing, and what it all means for the future.
Are nicotine pouches replacing vaping?
No, nicotine pouches are not replacing vaping, but they are becoming more popular. While pouches offer discreet, smoke-free convenience, vaping continues to dominate the market. Many users now switch between both, depending on their lifestyle needs.
The Rise of Nicotine Pouches in the Market
More people are trying nicotine pouches because they’re easy to use, are smoke-free and very discreet. They're a handy option if you want something more private than vaping or smoking. New flavour innovation and brand variety, and a growing following on social media has contributed to this steady growth. Top nicotine pouch brands in the UK include Lost Mary, Elf Bar, Zyn, Helwit and Velo.
The Decline of Vaping? Exploring the Data
Vaping is still going strong - even with the recent disposable ban, the market is projected to increase by £1.15 billion between 2025 and 2029 (1). Still, more people are turning to nicotine pouches thanks to tighter vaping regulation and convenience.
Nicotine Pouch vs. Vaping Sales Trends
Both vaping and nicotine pouch markets are on the rise, although vaping is well established and much larger, the nicotine pouch market is growing quickly.
Recent Market Data on Vaping and Nicotine Pouches
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The UK nicotine pouch market is worth around £186 million as of 2024 and is expected to keep growing by about 7.6% a year through to £290 million by 2030 (2).
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The UK vape market is also climbing, with a faster projected growth of 13.6% between 2024 and 2029, reaching £2.35 billion in 2029 (3).
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The growth in nicotine pouches is especially concentrated among younger adults and first-time nicotine users, suggesting pouches are drawing a different demographic than traditional vapes.
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The UK e-cigarette market is still much bigger overall and growing steadily, but while its growth rate looks strong on paper, the social media hype around nicotine pouches is growing faster when it comes to user interest and uptake.
The Impact of Vaping Bans and Regulations
Regulations, including advertising restrictions, price increases, volume and nicotine strength limits, and potential flavour bans are creating hurdles for vapes that nicotine pouches currently avoid. Although this advantage is likely to be short-lived, as recent amendments to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to curb the nicotine strength and ban advertising of nicotine pouches (4).
The aim of the bill is to create a smoke-free generation by banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. The bill also includes provisions to regulate the advertising, packaging, and sale of vaping products, including oral nicotine products, which could be seen as another go-to source that underage users could turn to once disposable vapes are banned.
Consumer Surveys: Why Are People Switching?
Surveys in the UK and Australia suggest convenience, social acceptability, and ease of use are major factors in the growing appeal of pouches over vaping.
⚡ Ease of Use: 53% say pouches are more convenient than vaping (5).
🚭 Quit Aid: 52% report pouches helped them quit other tobacco products.
📉 Reduce Intake: 46% use pouches to cut down overall tobacco use.
🤫 Social Acceptability & Discretion: Widely viewed as more discreet and socially acceptable than smoking or vaping (6).
❤️ Flavours & Health Perception: Pleasant taste profiles and the sense of a “healthier” alternative also rank highly.
Why Some Users Are Moving from Vaping to Nicotine Pouches
Some newcomers can be put off by the learning curve and maintenance that comes with vaping. Replacing coils and constantly topping up and adjusting airflow can seem tedious and unnecessary when compared to the simplicity of nicotine pouches.
Convenience – No Smoke, No Batteries, No Recharging
Nicotine pouches are low-maintenance. They don’t require charging or refilling, making them ideal for on-the-go use. Their portability and simplicity make them especially attractive to busy users and newcomers who'll find they require little change to their daily routine.
Health Perception – Are Nicotine Pouches Seen as Safer?
Nicotine pouches can be seen as a cleaner, potentially safer alternative to vaping, though both are significantly safer than smoking. Since pouches don’t involve inhalation, they may appeal to those concerned about lung health.
Workplace and Public Use – Why Pouches Are More Practical
Nicotine pouches are odourless and discreet. This makes them usable in many places where vaping is not allowed. This practicality makes them appealing to people who need a seamless nicotine solution for their daily routines. They are ideal for public transport and air travel and are a popular option for long periods of time spent indoors, such as concerts and meetings.
The Flavour Factor: Does It Influence Switching?
Flavours can provide additional motivation as people navigate their transition away from tobacco. While vaping clearly has more variety on offer, nicotine pouches can match most of the most popular vape flavours as well as benefitting from unique blends like chili combinations and higher nicotine strengths.
Bans on Flavoured Vapes – A Push Toward Nicotine Pouches?
Flavour bans could limit options for vapers, nudging some towards pouches that still offer a wide variety. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill includes mention of potential measures to restrict the flavours of vaping products to prevent their appeal to children. It is not known yet whether nicotine pouches would be included in these restrictions.
Similarities Between Vape and Nicotine Pouch Flavours
Popular flavours like mint, berry, and citrus are available in both formats, easing the switch for users. This overlap can soften the transition for those considering a change.
How Important Are Nicotine Strength and Flavour Variety?
Choice matters. The wide range of strengths and flavours in both categories allows users to tailor their experience. However, the growing variety of flavours in nicotine pouches, combined with fewer regulatory constraints, may give them an edge in attracting new users. Nicotine strength is another key difference. Vaping is capped at 20mg, but nicotine pouches go as high as 50mg - although this is likely to reduce following recent amendments to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Are Nicotine Pouches Actually Replacing Vaping?
Nicotine pouches aren’t replacing vaping entirely but are rising in popularity as more and more people realise that they are far less restricted and can be used as a complimentary solution when they’re unable to vape.
Author Comment
Speaking from personal experience, I found nicotine pouches invaluable when flying long distances and they phased out my vaping use at the office in a matter of days - convenience is king.
Sales Data – Has Vaping Declined While Pouch Sales Rose?
While pouch sales are climbing, vaping is still increasing steadily - showing that both markets are growing in parallel, rather than a complete shift, consumers may be using both.
Dual Users – How People Combine Vaping and Nicotine Pouches
Rather than fully replacing one product with the other, many people are adopting dual habits - using nicotine pouches in situations where vaping isn’t practical or permitted. This flexible approach highlights how the lifestyles of modern nicotine users are adapting in the face of increased costs and tougher regulations on tobacco and vaping.
Based on personal experience and anecdotal reports, there are a few emerging user types:
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On-the-Go Optimisers: Use pouches during travel, work hours, or at indoor events where vaping is banned.
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Home Vapers: Prefer vaping at home for the sensory experience, but switch to nicotine pouches when discretion matters.
- Transitional Users: Use both as part of a harm reduction or quitting journey, gradually phasing one or both out.
Predictions for the Future of Vaping vs. Pouches
Both vaping and nicotine pouches are expected to keep growing. Pouches might become more popular for things like travel, work, and indoor activities, with vaping being used outdoors. Changes in regulations will shape how people use these two options in the future.
Conclusion
With the rising cost of tobacco and the UK governments’ aim to phase out smoking altogether, more consumers are switching to vaping and nicotine pouches to help them navigate the financial and regulatory hurdles, as well as the promise of leading a healthier lifestyle.
Are Nicotine Pouches Replacing Vaping? The Evidence So Far
Not really. Nicotine pouches are catching on quickly, but a lot of people still prefer vaping, especially because it gives a quick hit of nicotine and feels more familiar to smoking. It looks like both products are becoming popular in different ways, instead of one totally replacing the other.
What This Trend Means for Consumers and the Industry
People now have more choices when it comes to alternative nicotine products, and companies need to keep up by making solutions that are safe, enjoyable, and follow regulations. To do that, they have to really understand what users want and keep an eye on new legislation.
Future Predictions for the Nicotine Market
As people’s habits and the regulations around nicotine change, we’ll likely see new and better versions of both vapes and nicotine alternatives. What happens next will depend a lot on what users want, ever changing legislation, and manufacturer innovations.
Are you using both products? Share your experience in the comments below!
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Sources
(1&2) technavio.com - UK E-Cigarette Market Analysis, Size, and Forecast 2025-2029
(3) grandviewresearch.com - UK Nicotine Pouches Market Size & Outlook, 2030
(4) bills.parliament.uk - Tobacco and Vapes Bill
(5) academic.oup.com - The Potential Impact of Oral Nicotine Pouches on Public Health
(6) www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au - Awareness, perceptions and use of oral nicotine products
Disclaimer: The content presented on www.alternix.com is for informational purposes only and is centered around nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products—alternatives to traditional smoking methods. The information provided on this website, including blog posts and social media interactions, is not intended as medical advice, nor should it substitute for professional medical guidance or treatment.
