Characterization of Total and Unprotonated (Free) Nicotine Content of Nicotine Pouch Products

Abstract

Introduction Nicotine pouch products, oral smokeless products that contain nicotine but no tobacco leaf material, have recently entered the US marketplace. Available data indicate sales of these products in the United States have increased since 2018; however, the extent of use among US youth and adults is uncertain. Methods To assay the chemistry of these emerging tobacco products, we analyzed 37 nicotine pouch brands from six total manufacturers. Almost all of the products had flavor descriptors (36 of 37), such as mint, licorice, coffee, cinnamon, and fruit. The amount of free nicotine, the form most easily absorbed, was calculated for each product using total nicotine, product pH, the appropriate pKa, and the Henderson–Hasselbalch equation. Results Nicotine pouch products varied in pouch content mass, moisture content (1.12%‒47.2%), alkalinity (pH 6.86‒10.1), and % free nicotine (7.7%‒99.2%). Total nicotine content ranged from 1.29 to 6.11 mg/pouch, whereas free nicotine ranged from 0.166 to 6.07 mg/pouch. These findings indicate that nicotine and pH levels found in some of these nicotine pouches are similar to conventional tobacco products, such as moist snuff and snus, and that most of these pouch products are flavored. Conclusions Although these products likely lack many tobacco-related chemicals, each product analyzed contained nicotine, which is both addictive and can harm human health. Given that nicotine pouches may appeal to a spectrum of users, from novice to experienced users, it is important to include these emerging tobacco products in tobacco control research, policy, and practice. Implications These “tobacco-free” nicotine pouches have similar pH and nicotine content to conventional tobacco products, such as moist snuff and snus. Although they lack many tobacco-related chemicals, most are highly flavored which could increase experimentation from new users. Given that nicotine pouches may appeal to a spectrum of users, from novice to experienced users, in terms of their flavors and nicotine content, it is important to examine and include these emerging tobacco products as they relate to tobacco control research, policy, and practice.

The Central Role of pH in the Clinical Pharmacology of Nicotine: Implications for Abuse Liability, Cigarette Harm Reduction and FDA Regulation

“…(Altria), Velo (RJ Reynolds), and Lyft (British American Tobacco), and others are sold in pouches with various levels of nicotine and many different flavors. Among US marketed nicotine pouch products, pH ranges from 6.86 to 10.1 5 . Total nicotine per pouch ranges from 1.3 to 6.1 mg, with freebase nicotine levels ranging from 0.2 to 6.1 mg.…”

Nicotine pouch product awareness, interest and ever use among US adults who smoke, 2021

“…Although containing similar nicotine levels, nicotine pouch products, either tobacco-derived or synthetic, are different from traditional smokeless tobacco (SLT) or snus in that they contain no tobacco leaf 6. Product manufacturers claim that nicotine pouches likely fall between snus and nicotine replacement therapies on the toxicant delivery continuum, with substantially less toxicant exposure relative to cigarettes, tobacco-heating products, snus and vapour 7 8.…”

Perceptions of Oral Nicotine Pouches on Reddit: Observational Study

“…There is a possibly that these products will cause oral submucous fibrosis [ 36 ]. Recent studies indicate that oral nicotine pouches are likely to expose users to lower levels of toxic components compared with snus and other tobacco products [ 10 ], though they are still addictive and could be damaging to human health [ 6 ]. Although health effects, especially long-term effects, of oral nicotine pouches remain to be determined, we showed in this study that there was an increasing trend of mentioning oral nicotine pouches, and that over half of related Reddit posts had positive attitudes toward oral nicotine pouches.…”

“…To date, several studies have investigated the chemical components of oral nicotine pouches. For example, a recent study examined the moisture content, pH, and nicotine content of 37 oral nicotine pouch brands [ 6 ]. They found a similar pH across products and nicotine content comparable to, or greater than, smokeless tobacco pouch products, suggesting a similar addiction potential as those products.…”

“…Potential health effects of oral nicotine pouches await further investigation. Although there have been studies about the chemical characteristics of oral nicotine pouches [ 6 , 10 , 11 ], few studies have investigated public perceptions of these products, the importance of which is highlighted further by the substantial and increasing use of oral nicotine pouches.…”