The long and short-term effects of smoking have long been known, but viable alternatives to combustible tobacco products have only risen to prevalence in the last 5-10 years.
There are many e-cigarettes and vape pens available to those who wish to go tobacco-free, and now there are more non-combustible alternatives available than ever before. These new products will not force you outside to enjoy nicotine, you can enjoy it wherever you are, and whenever you want.
In this article, we explore the tobacco-free options available, how vaping works and how harmful it is, the advantages and disadvantages of vaping and e-cigarettes, and the ways in which you can enjoy nicotine without smoke or vapour.
What tobacco-free options are available?
For decades, those who have been enjoying nicotine have only had combustible products to choose from. The negative effects of smoking have been acknowledged for decades by scientists and public health bodies but for a long time, those who wanted to consume nicotine only had combustible products to choose from. The situation has fortunately changed. Alternatives for those who want to consume nicotine without smoke are now more widespread than ever before. E-cigarettes and vape pens have made a massive dent in smoking prevalence in the UK will millions of people using them instead of smoking, according to ONS data.
What is vaping, and is vaping harmful?
Vaping is a popular alternative to smoking, it’s convenient and, compared with buying cigarettes, much cheaper. Vape pens work by heating a small amount of liquid flavouring, which turns to vapour and is inhaled by the user.
So is vaping harmful? According to Public Health England, vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking but the long-form effects of vaping are not yet fully known – e-cigarettes were only introduced to the UK in 2007, and so it remains to be seen what the long-term health impact of vaping might be. However it is fair to say the health risks pale in comparison to that of smoking.
How do nicotine pouches compare to vapes and e-cigarettes?
Nicotine pouches, including ZYN, are discreet and easy to use – just pop a pouch under your upper lip and enjoy for anywhere from 5-10 minutes all the way up to an hour.
Nicotine pouches offer a smoke-free alternative to enjoying nicotine and come in a variety of flavours, so not only do you avoid the unpleasant smell associated with smoking, but you also avoid clouding your friends and family in smoke too.
As ZYN and other nicotine pouches are taken orally, they do not contain the same toxins that are found in traditional cigarettes; however, like all nicotine products, the nicotine contained in ZYN may pose a health risk, and should never be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those with a history of cardiovascular disease.
Another factor to consider is that the risk to others is mitigated by the way the nicotine is delivered – any drug that is delivered by inhalation has the potential to impact the lungs and will then need to be exhaled, affecting those around you.
Besides the reduced health impact compared to smoking, one advantage of vaping is the number of flavours of fluid available to choose from, but this is also true for nicotine pouches. ZYN nicotine pouches come in a variety of flavours, including Cool Mint, Espressino, Citrus, Spearmint and Bellini, so you’re sure to find something to suit your tastebuds.
What are the rules around using vapes and e-cigarettes, and nicotine pouches?
Although vaping indoors is not illegal, pubs, clubs, cafes, bars and other venues (e.g. concert halls and stadiums), will likely have a blanket ban on vaping as part of a strict smoke-free policy.
If you’re caught vaping in any venues which have banned the use of e-cigarettes, you may be asked to leave, but you will not face any legal sanctions. Vaping is also generally banned on public transport.
Nicotine pouches, on the other hand, can be discreetly consumed anywhere, and, as they don’t produce smoke or vapour, would not fall under the terms of a smoke-free policy. Plus they are low maintenance, with no refill or recharging needed.
One of the main benefits of ZYN pouches is that they can be taken anywhere and don’t impact anyone else. At a concert, those who smoke and vape would have to leave the venue and miss part of their favourite act, but if you just pop a nicotine pouch into your mouth, you can enjoy the show and avoid disrupting others.
What’s next?
With a broader understanding of different non-combustible recreational nicotine products, you can now choose the one which works best for you. We believe that ZYN nicotine pouches are a great option if you want to consume nicotine without inhalation or combustion.
For a convenient, discreet way of enjoying nicotine, without having to go to a designated smoking area, check out our full range of nicotine pouches below.