Nicotine pouches are rising in popularity in Greater London, with sales volumes increasing by 83% from 2023 to 2024, and this trend is expected to continue. The disposable vape ban is certainly impacting consumer behaviour, forcing disposable vape users to quit or seek alternative products, but what other factors are encouraging Greater London residents towards nicotine pouches?

Northerner, part of the Haypp Group, spoke to nicotine pouch users in Greater London and found that the most common reason people started using nicotine pouches was to quit smoking, with 51% saying this was their main motivation. In Greater London 49% said they felt ‘much better’ since making the switch to pouches.

According to Greater London pouch users, the main advantages of nicotine pouches over other nicotine products are that it feels healthier, more discreet and it doesn’t affect others. The majority of users in Greater London typically purchase around three cans per week, with mint being the most popular flavour.

Nicotine pouches have made headlines recently, with stories about product packaging and flavours being targeted at youth. However, this research shows the average nicotine pouch user in Greater London is 35.

Markus Lindblad, from Northerner, said: “Following the disposable vape ban here in the UK, we anticipated a rise in nicotine pouch use as vape users transitioned to alternative products. We expect the increase in nicotine pouch use to continue as more people become aware of them as an alternative to smoking. There is a legal loophole that means that there is no minimum age to purchase nicotine pouches. This loophole will be closed by the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in due course but until then, it’s critical that access to these products is limited to adult nicotine users, and it’s up to responsible retailers to make sure this is the case. Online retailers and the retailers in Greater London must act responsibly until the loophole is closed.”