How to Use Nicotine Pouches: A Step-by-Step Guide
Nicotine pouches look simple, and they are, once you know the routine. Most first-time problems come from the same few things: a pouch that is too strong, left in too long, or put in the wrong spot. Here is how to use one properly, how to open the can, how long to keep it in, and what the manufacturers say about daily use.
The short answer: open the can, take out one pouch and tuck it between your upper lip and gum. You will feel a tingle as the nicotine releases. Leave it there for up to about 30 minutes, which is what ZYN and VELO both say in their UK guidance, then put it in the lid compartment and bin it later.
How to use nicotine pouches: a step-by-step guide
These steps work for ZYN nicotine pouches, VELO and most other brands. A nicotine pouch is a small, smoke-free oral nicotine pouch made to sit between your gum and upper lip.
- Open the can. New cans are sealed. Break the seal, then lift or twist the lid off (more on this below).
- Take out one pouch. Just the one.
- Place the pouch under your upper lip. Slide it between your top lip and gum and position it so it sits comfortably.
- Wait for the tingle. A tingling sensation or mild warm feeling after a few minutes is the nicotine and flavour being released. It is expected.
- Leave it alone. ZYN says its pouches should not be chewed, and pouches are not meant to be swallowed.
- Remove the pouch within about 30 minutes. Take it out sooner if it feels too strong or you have had enough.
- Dispose of the pouch responsibly. Pop the used pouch into the compartment in the lid, then empty that into a bin when you get the chance.
Each pouch is single use. ZYN's UK guide says plainly that pouches should not be re-used, so start the next one fresh.
Before you start: pick a starting strength
Before you open anything, check the nicotine strength. If you are new to nicotine pouches, this is the step that matters most. This matters more than flavour or brand. Strength is printed on the can in mg per pouch, and it varies a lot from brand to brand.
Both big brands point people who are new to nicotine towards their lowest strengths:
| Brand | What the brand suggests for new users | Examples we stock |
|---|---|---|
| ZYN | The "Low" range, 1.5mg and 3mg, is aimed at people new to pouches. 6mg and 9mg are listed for existing users | ZYN Cool Mint mini 3mg, ZYN Spearmint mini 3mg |
| VELO | VELO's UK guide says some people prefer to start with a lower strength, such as 4mg or 6mg | VELO mini Bright Spearmint 4mg, VELO Green Spearmint 6mg |
Sources: ZYN UK and VELO's UK guide on 10motives.com, the BAT-owned UK site that sells VELO.
Brands label strength differently. VELO uses dots and ZYN uses numbers, and "strong" on one brand can mean something else on another. Our guides to VELO strengths, ZYN strengths and nicotine pouch strengths in general go through the details.
How to open a ZYN can
Using ZYN for the first time starts with the seal. A new ZYN can has a perforated seal running around the side. Break that seal first, then take the lid off. ZYN's UK guide says to start "by breaking the perforation seal on the side of the can". Under the seal on the lid there is a small pocket for used pouches, which is easy to miss the first time.
How to open a VELO can
VELO's UK guide gives one instruction for this: twist open your VELO can. The lid also has space for used pouches, and VELO's guide suggests keeping a used pouch inside the can lid until you find a bin.
Where to put a nicotine pouch
Under the upper lip, between the lip and the gum. That is where both ZYN and VELO tell you to put it in their UK guidance. Placed there, it stays put and is barely noticeable.
Some people find one side more comfortable than the other. Research on oral health has found irritation and white patches tend to appear at the spot where the pouch sits, so if a patch of gum gets sore, take note and see a dentist if it does not settle. Our guide to nicotine pouch side effects covers this in more detail.
What the tingle feels like
Within a few minutes you will feel a tingling or slightly warm sensation under your lip. ZYN calls it the "ZYNGLE", and VELO describes a slight tingling as the nicotine is released. For some people it lasts the whole time the pouch is in, for others only the first few minutes.
A tingle is normal. If the burning becomes painful, or you feel sick or dizzy, take the pouch out. Next time, try a lower strength or a shorter session.
How long do nicotine pouches last?
There are two ways to read this question, so here are both answers.
How long a pouch lasts in your mouth: ZYN's UK site says its pouches last up to half an hour, and VELO's UK guide says its pouches release nicotine for up to 30 minutes and advises against leaving them in longer. You will see bigger numbers quoted online, often from US guidance or other retailers, but for the UK versions, about 30 minutes is what the brands say. You can always take a pouch out sooner.
How long a can lasts: a standard ZYN or VELO can holds 20 pouches. How long that lasts depends entirely on how many you use. As for shelf life, when a can carries a date it is a best before date, not a use by date. Our guide on whether nicotine pouches expire explains what that means.
How many nicotine pouches per day?
We are not going to give you a number, and neither do the manufacturers. ZYN's UK site says some adult users have a couple of pouches a day while others use half a can, depending on preference, pouch size and strength. It sets no daily limit. VELO's UK guide does not give one either.
What both brands do say is that the product contains nicotine, which is addictive, and is not risk free. A few practical points:
- Read the warnings on the can and follow them.
- Count milligrams, not pouches. Two 3mg minis and two 11mg pouches are very different amounts of nicotine, so your daily nicotine intake depends on strength as much as number.
- If a pouch makes you feel sick or dizzy, take it out.
Pouches are for adults aged 18 and over who already use nicotine. If you want to cut back, our guide to quitting nicotine pouches is a good place to start.
How to dispose of used pouches
Dispose of pouches responsibly: used pouches go in general waste. ZYN's UK disposal guide says to store a used pouch temporarily in the lid compartment, then move it to a household or public bin. Don't flush them down the toilet or a sink. The empty ZYN can is recyclable plastic, so empty it out and put it in with your plastic recycling.
Never leave pouches, used or unused, lying around where children or pets can reach them. If you have a dog, read our guide on nicotine and dogs.
Common mistakes when starting out
- Starting too strong. This is the big one. A strength that suits a long-term user can be too much for a beginner, and side effects are more common at higher strengths.
- Chewing or swallowing. ZYN says its pouches should not be chewed and warns that pouches may be a choking hazard if swallowed.
- Using a damaged pouch. ZYN advises against using pouches that look broken or tampered with.
- Reusing pouches. They are single use.
- Going by flavour alone. Check the mg before you check the flavour.
FAQs
How do you use ZYN?
Break the seal on the side of the can, take out one pouch and place it between your upper lip and gum. Leave it in for around 30 minutes, then put it in the space inside the lid and throw it in the bin later. Don't chew it. You can shop the range in our ZYN collection, or read what ZYN is first.
How do you use VELO?
Twist open the can, tuck one pouch between your top lip and gum, and leave it for up to 30 minutes. Bin it afterwards, using the can lid to hold it until you reach a bin. Browse the VELO collection by strength.
Do you put nicotine pouches on the top or bottom lip?
The top lip. Both ZYN and VELO say to put the pouch between your upper lip and gum.
Can you reuse a nicotine pouch?
No. Pouches are single use. Once it is out, it goes in the bin.
What if you swallow a nicotine pouch?
Pouches are not meant to be swallowed, and ZYN warns they may be a choking hazard. If a child may have swallowed one, the NHS advice is to call 999 or go to A&E. If you are unsure whether something swallowed is harmful, call NHS 111.
Are nicotine pouches the same as snus?
No. Snus contains tobacco and nicotine pouches do not, though you use them in a similar way. We explain the differences in snus vs nicotine pouches, and the legal position in is snus legal in the UK.
Do nicotine pouches have side effects?
Yes. The most commonly reported are gum irritation, hiccups, nausea and dizziness, and nicotine is addictive. See our guide to nicotine pouch side effects.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Nicotine pouches are for adults aged 18 and over, and nicotine is addictive. When you are ready, browse the full range and filter by strength to find a sensible starting point.
