Are Nicotine Pouches the Same as Snus?

If you’ve been looking into nicotine pouches, you may have noticed something confusing:

Some people call them “snus”

Others use different terms entirely

So what’s actually correct?

Nicotine pouches are small, tobacco-free pouches placed under the lip.

They:

• Contain nicotine and flavourings
• Do not contain tobacco
• Are used without smoking or vaping

They’re designed as a modern, discreet way to consume nicotine.

The confusion mostly comes from how similar the products look and are used.

Both:

• Are placed under the lip
• Come in small pouch formats
• Deliver nicotine over time

Because of this, many people use “snus” as a general term—even when it’s not technically correct.

Snus is a traditional product that originated in Sweden.

It:

• Contains tobacco
• Is also used under the lip
• Has a strong tobacco-based flavour

The key difference: snus contains tobacco, nicotine pouches do not.

While the products may look similar, they belong to different categories.

• Snus → oral tobacco product
• Nicotine pouches → tobacco-free nicotine product

This distinction is important because it affects:

• Regulations
• Availability
• How the products are classified

The most accurate term is:

Nicotine pouches

That said, it’s common to hear:

• “Snus” (used informally)
• Other slang terms depending on region

Understanding the difference helps avoid confusion—especially when comparing products.

QOLA nicotine pouches belong to this newer category of tobacco-free products.

• No tobacco
• No smoke or vapour
• Simple and discreet to use