As thousands across the UK lace up their trainers for this year’s London Marathon, new research from next-generation, nicotine pouch brand KLAR reveals the impact smoking and vaping is having on people’s fitness and ambition.
The research from KLAR shows and nearly 3 in 4 (73%) smokers and vapers want to quit in 2025 and 36% believe smoking or vaping has held them back from achieving personal goals.
13% also say they’d feel more confident training for a marathon, triathlon or other endurance event if they quit and one Londoner has already made the switch and completed the London Marathon in record time last year after quitting smoking and vaping.
Alex Ames, a 25-year-old software engineer who is now training for his first Ironman said, “I ran the London Marathon last year after having quit smoking and vaping which I had been doing for about 3-4 years. I wanted to quit because it didn’t fit in my lifestyle anymore – I wanted to be more active, and smoking and vaping really affected my lungs and performance.
“In 2023, I switched to nicotine pouches and immediately noticed an improvement in my performance. As compared to smoking and vaping, it doesn’t negatively affect my lungs and breathing at all.
“My focus increases when I have a pouch pre-workout, and it’s much clearer and easier to breathe while training. While on recovery, my sleep is better as I’m not vaping constantly anymore.”
Unlike traditional smoking and vaping products, KLAR’s tobacco-free nicotine pouches which launched in the UK earlier this year are designed to support adults looking to quit in a more responsible way.
With no vapour, combustion or throat irritation, KLAR’s products are powered by bioceramic technology for a smoother, more consistent nicotine release – and are free from youth-targeting flavours or branding.
Tomas Hammargren, Chief Risk Reduction Officer at KLAR said, “2025 is shaping up to be a major turning point in quitting as our research shows, and more and more smokers and vapers are looking for alternatives that support active lifestyles who don’t want it to affect their performance. Nicotine pouches offer a reduced-harm nicotine experience that doesn’t impact the lungs or compromise on performance.”