No tobacco, but still nicotine. That's a tobacco-free pouch in one line. If you've been searching for "snus" or "tobacco pouches" in the UK, the white pouches you've been looking at are almost certainly tobacco-free nicotine pouches, and the label on the can will tell you for sure.
Quick answer: Tobacco-free nicotine pouches sit under your lip and hold nicotine and flavourings but no tobacco leaf. Every nicotine pouch on SnusBox is tobacco-free, not tobacco snus, but they still contain nicotine, which is addictive. If you already use nicotine, pick a strength close to what you're used to from our tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
What tobacco-free nicotine pouches are
A tobacco-free nicotine pouch is a small, usually white pouch that sits between your upper lip and gum. It holds nicotine but no tobacco leaf. There's nothing to light, no smoke and no need to spit.
The nicotine is absorbed through the lining of your mouth while the pouch is in. How long to keep one in varies by brand, so follow the guidance on the can rather than a rule of thumb. When you're done, bin the used pouch.
For placement and a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on how to use ZYN pouches. New to the format? Our what are nicotine pouches guide covers the basics. This article is for adults who already use nicotine and want to understand what they're buying.
Snus, tobacco pouches, nicopods: what UK shoppers usually mean
The names get muddled, so here's how we hear them used at SnusBox. This is how customers talk to us, not a survey of the market.
- "Snus", "tobacco-free snus", "non-tobacco snus", "snus with no tobacco": when you're buying in the UK, these usually mean tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
- "Tobacco pouches": a common search term, but the pouches we sell contain no tobacco.
- "Nicopods", "nic pouches" or just "pouches": slang for the same tobacco-free product.
Real snus is the Swedish-style product made with moist ground tobacco. We don't sell it, and its legal position is covered further down. If a can calls itself "snus", the label tells you what's actually inside.
What's in the can instead of tobacco
Brands tweak their recipes, so the ingredient list on the can is the final word. As an example, ZYN's UK site lists nicotine, plant-based fibres, flavourings and pH adjusters, with water in ZYN Regular but not ZYN Mini. Using ZYN's list as a guide, here's what to look for on the can:
- Plant-based fibre filler, which gives the pouch its body.
- Nicotine.
- Water, in some ranges but not all.
- Flavourings and sweeteners, for mint, fruit, cola, coffee and the rest.
- pH adjusters.
For an ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown using ZYN as the example, read our ZYN ingredients guide.
Where the nicotine comes from
A tobacco-free filling doesn't mean the nicotine came from somewhere other than tobacco. Many pouches use nicotine extracted from the tobacco plant, while some brands say theirs is synthetic. If the source matters to you, check the manufacturer's own information for that brand.
Why tobacco-free pouches are white
With no tobacco leaf in the filling, tobacco-free pouches usually look white, which is why you'll often see the format called "all white". Colour is a clue, not proof. The ingredient list and a "tobacco-free" label are what confirm there's no tobacco.
Tobacco-free pouches vs traditional snus
The two look alike in the can and you use them the same way. What's inside is completely different.
| Traditional snus | Tobacco-free nicotine pouches | |
|---|---|---|
| What's in it | Moist ground tobacco | Nicotine, flavourings and a filler such as plant fibre (varies by brand) |
| Colour | Usually brown (lighter versions exist) | Usually white |
| Sold in the UK | No (see below) | Yes. SnusBox sells to adults 18+ only. |
| How it's used | Under the lip, not smoked | Under the lip, not smoked |
Selling tobacco for oral use (traditional snus) has been illegal in the UK since 1992 under the Tobacco for Oral Use (Safety) Regulations 1992, and that remains the case as of October 2026. The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 re-enacts the ban from 29 October 2026 under section 8. SnusBox sells tobacco-free nicotine pouches, not tobacco snus.
For the full history, read is snus legal in the UK? For a wider comparison, see nicotine pouches vs tobacco products.
How to check a can is tobacco-free
- Look for "tobacco-free" or "all white" on the can or the manufacturer's page.
- Read the ingredient list. You want plant fibre and nicotine, with no tobacco listed.
- Don't rely on colour alone. A white pouch isn't proof on its own.
- Buy branded products from a UK retailer, so you know what the label says and who to contact if something's wrong.
Tobacco-free doesn't mean nicotine-free
This catches people out. Every tobacco-free nicotine pouch we stock contains nicotine, and nicotine is addictive. Taking the tobacco out doesn't change that.
Common side effects include hiccups, irritation of the gum where the pouch sits, and nausea, which is more likely at higher strengths. Our nicotine pouch side effects guide covers them in more detail.
If you want a pouch with no nicotine at all, that's a different product: caffeine pouches. Our caffeine pouches guide explains how they're labelled and used.
Are nicotine pouches tobacco products? UK law as of October 2026
As of October 2026, the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 is law. It received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. Here's what it means for tobacco-free pouches.
- Their own category. Section 51 defines a "nicotine product" to include any substance containing nicotine that is intended to be delivered into the body, other than tobacco, vapes and licensed medicines. So tobacco-free pouches sit in their own legal category, separate from tobacco and vapes.
- Age of sale. From 29 October 2026, it is an offence to sell a vaping or nicotine product, including nicotine pouches, to anyone under 18 in England and Wales (section 10). Customers confirm they're 18+ on SnusBox.
- Advertising. As of June 2026, the government intends to ban the advertising and sponsorship of nicotine products, including nicotine pouches, across the UK from 1 June 2027. Retail websites will still be able to give factual, non-promotional product information (gov.uk health media blog).
- Scotland and Northern Ireland. They bring these rules in under separate parts of the Act, with their own commencement.
How to compare tobacco-free pouch brands
Compare strength first, then flavour family (mint, fruit, cola, tea), then format, then price. On format, some ranges include "Mini" versions, such as ZYN Mini and 77 Ghost Mini; check the manufacturer's page for pouch size. Here's how eight brands we stock line up.
| Brand | Strengths we stock (as listed) | Example flavours | Single-can price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZYN | 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 11, 13.5mg | Black Cherry, Spearmint, Coffee, Cool Mint | £4.19 |
| Velo | 8, 10mg | Purple Grape, Icy Berries | £4.99 |
| 77 | 5, 10, 20mg* | Fresh Mint, Forest Fruits, Black Tea | £3.99 |
| Pablo | 10.2, 17, 24*, 30mg* | Spearmint, Kiwi, Pear, Frosted Mint | £3.79 |
| Cuba | 10.4, 43mg* | Cola, Cold Dry, Mango | £3.79 |
| Killa | 13.2mg | Cold Mint, Cold Dry, Grape Ice | £3.79 |
| Zeus | 4, 10, 25mg* | True North, Frozen Citrus | £4.29 |
| Denssi | 5.6, 11.2mg (nicotine range only) | Spearmint, Cold Mint, Mango Freeze | £3.99 |
* 20mg and above: 77 Ghost Mini 20mg, Pablo Exclusive 24mg and 30mg, Cuba Black Line 43mg and Zeus 25mg. These are very strong and only for people already used to strong pouches. Not every flavour comes in every strength. Prices are for single cans and exclude bundles. Pouch counts vary, so check the can if you want to work out a cost per pouch.
Of these eight, Pablo, Cuba and Killa share the lowest single-can price at £3.79. ZYN has the most strength options of the eight, with six levels from 1.5mg to 13.5mg, including the lowest strength in the table.
mg per pouch vs mg per gram
Some brands label strength per gram of pouch content rather than per pouch, so numbers on different cans don't always line up. A figure per gram can look higher or lower than the amount in a single pouch, depending on how heavy the pouch is. To compare like with like, check the can or the manufacturer's page to see whether the figure is per pouch or per gram.
Two mid-strength picks
Pablo Silver Edition is the brand's 10.2mg line. It covers seven flavours we stock, including Spearmint, Kiwi and Pear, without moving up to the 17mg-plus lines. Spearmint is £3.79 a can.
Killa keeps things simple: everything we stock in its range is 13.2mg, so choosing comes down to flavour. Cold Mint costs £3.79.
Picking a strength if you already use nicotine
Start roughly where you are now. If you're coming from 6mg, step up gradually rather than jumping several levels at once. A jump in strength makes nausea more likely.
If you're used to lower-strength pouches, 77 Light sits at 5mg, and Fresh Mint is £3.99 a can.
One step up, ZYN Strong Spearmint comes in at 6mg for £4.19.
The middle ground, roughly 10–13mg, includes Pablo Silver 10.2mg, Cuba White Line 10.4mg, ZYN 11mg and Killa 13.2mg.
Above that, some lines go a lot higher: Pablo Exclusive 30mg, Iceberg 35mg, Cuba Black Line 43mg and Maggie Extreme 45mg. We don't recommend anything at 20mg or above unless you're already used to strong pouches. These strengths make side effects like nausea more likely.
Whatever the strength, follow the manufacturer's guidance on the can and use one pouch at a time. Don't stack them. For more on matching strength and flavour, see our nicotine pouch strength guide.
FAQs
Do nicotine pouches contain tobacco?
No. Every nicotine pouch SnusBox sells is tobacco-free. ZYN, for example, uses a plant-based cellulose filler with nicotine, flavourings, a sugar-free sweetener and pH adjusters (ZYN UK), so check the ingredient list on the can for the brand you're buying.
Is ZYN a tobacco-free product?
Yes. Like every nicotine pouch we sell, ZYN pouches are tobacco-free. We stock ZYN from 1.5mg to 13.5mg at £4.19 a can. They still contain nicotine, which is addictive.
Is "tobacco-free snus" the same as snus?
No. "Tobacco-free snus" is a nickname for nicotine pouches, which contain no tobacco. As of October 2026, selling real tobacco snus is illegal in the UK (Tobacco for Oral Use (Safety) Regulations 1992); see the comparison section above and our guide is snus legal in the UK?
Are nicotine pouches classed as tobacco products in the UK?
No. As of October 2026, tobacco-free pouches count as a "nicotine product" under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 (s.51), a separate category from tobacco and vapes. The law section above has the detail.
Is tobacco-free the same as nicotine-free?
No. Tobacco-free pouches still contain nicotine, which is addictive. If you want something with no nicotine, caffeine pouches are a separate product, explained in our caffeine pouches guide.
Where does the nicotine in tobacco-free pouches come from?
It varies by brand. ZYN, for example, says its nicotine is derived from tobacco (ZYN UK). For other brands, check the manufacturer's own information.
Why are tobacco-free nicotine pouches white?
With no tobacco leaf, the filling usually stays white, hence the "all white" name. See how to check a can is tobacco-free above.
What are nicopods?
In our experience, customers use "nicopods" and "nic pouches" to mean nicotine pouches: small tobacco-free pouches placed under the lip.
Are tobacco-free nicotine pouches safe?
We don't make safety claims. Pouches contain nicotine, which is addictive. Common side effects include hiccups, gum irritation and nausea at higher strengths. Our nicotine pouch side effects guide has the detail.
Is 3 ZYNs a day a lot?
There's no single right number. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on the can and use one pouch at a time. Don't use more, or a stronger pouch, than you're used to, as nicotine is addictive.
Can dentists tell if you use nicotine pouches?
They may notice irritation in the spot where you usually place a pouch. Tell your dentist you use them so they can keep an eye on that area.
What is the age limit for buying nicotine pouches in the UK?
As of October 2026: from 29 October 2026 it is an offence to sell a vaping or nicotine product, including nicotine pouches, to anyone under 18 in England and Wales (Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, s.10). SnusBox customers confirm they are 18+ on the site. Scotland and Northern Ireland bring their rules in separately.
How do I compare tobacco-free pouch brands?
Start with strength in mg (checking whether the can lists it per pouch or per gram), then flavour family, then price per can. Our comparison table above puts ZYN, Velo, 77, Pablo, Cuba, Killa, Zeus and Denssi side by side.
For adult nicotine users only (18+). Contains nicotine, which is an addictive substance.
