Nicotine has been used by people for thousands of years. Not that long ago, in historical terms, tobacco was usually smoked or, as is the case in Scandinavia, used orally as snus. Today we see many new ways to use nicotine. So we decided to put together a “dummies guide” to the most common methods.
Chemically, nicotine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in tobacco plants and it is widely used for its stimulant and mood-altering properties. While traditionally associated with smoking, nicotine is now delivered through various products—some old, some modern—each with different patterns of use, risk profiles, and societal perceptions.
Ways to use nicotine
Cigarettes
Cigarettes are finely shredded tobacco wrapped in paper and smoked. They are the most recognized and historically dominant nicotine delivery method. Cigarette smoking gained global popularity in the 20th century but has declined in many countries due to known health risks.
Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including tar and carbon monoxide. Smoking is linked to lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illness. The primary harm comes not from the nicotine itself itself, but from combustion.
Exactly how dangerous smoking is was shown in medical studies 50 years ago. Still, while claiming six million lives every year, smoking cigarettes does not seem to be going away anytime soon.
Cigars and Pipe Tobacco
Cigars are dried tobacco leafs rolled in a thicker wrapper and pipe tobacco is smoked using a pipe. These methods of smoking are often used less frequently than cigarettes, typically associated with occasional or ceremonial use. Perhaps this is why these methods are seldom mentioned in anti-smoking campaigns.
From a health perspective, these methods still involve combustion and carries significant cancer and cardiovascular risks, even if not inhaled deeply. Depending on what kind of tobacco is being used, and how often determines just how dangerous the habit is. An occasional cigarr at a friends wedding might not be dangerous at all but smoking daily still comes with a high risk of decease.
Chewing Tobacco and Snuff
Chewing tobacco is placed between the cheek and gums, and has to be chewed to activate its effect. Snuff is ground, fermented and dried, and can be sniffed or placed under the upper lip. These products are most common in various cultures, especially in southern USA.
They are often confused with the Swedish snus (see below) but the manufacturing process is different. Also, with snuff, the users spit rather than swallow. Which in this context is healthier.
Though not linked to lung disease, long-term use may increase risk of oral cancer and gum disease. Nicotine absorption is slower than with smoking.
Snus
Snus is a moist powder tobacco product placed under the upper lip, popular in Sweden and Norway. The tobacco leafs are dried, mixed with for example salt and water, and then baked. This is the main difference between snus and snuff, which is fermented.
Snus use has been associated with reduced smoking rates in Scandinavia and studies suggest substantially lower health risks than smoking. Some concerns remain about oral health and of course the addictive properties of nicotine in general. But population data (e.g., Sweden’s low tobacco-related disease rates) suggest a significant harm reduction role.
Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine pouches contain synthetic or extracted nicotine and flavorings, and is placed under the lip. The nicotine is absorbed through the upper lip and into the bloodstream. These pouches were originally flavored with mint and/or menthol. But today, many use berry- and fruit tastes, or candy like tastes like licorice, or spices like cardamom depending on the regional culture.
Nicotine pouches does not rely on combustion and apart from nicotine, contains none of the 7,000 dangerous toxins found in tobacco smoke. Long-term effects are still under study, but are likely to be less harmful than smoking.
The pure delivery of nicotine does come with the draw-back that it is very easy to consume large quantities. In fact, a user of pouches would easily be able to consume much more nicotine than a smoker would.
E-cigarettes (Vapes)
Battery-powered devices that vaporize a nicotine-containing liquid for inhalation. The liquid contains different essential oils and flavorings which the user inhales with the nicotine. This has become a very common way of using nicotine among both adult smokers and youth, and is often seen as a cigarette alternative.
Vapes are considered less harmful than cigarettes but not risk-free. Some studies link vaping to respiratory symptoms and nicotine addiction, though long-term effects are still being evaluated. One of the main worries is that users buy black market vaping fluids which might contain dangerous chemicals. There has been cases of serious lung decease caused by vaping.
Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs)
The category Nicotine Replacement Therapies Includes patches, gums, lozenges, and nasal sprays designed to help users quit smoking by delivering controlled doses of nicotine. The products are developed by pharmaceutical companies, clinically approved and widely used in cessation programs.
They are of course non-combustable and free from the the toxins associated with tobacco. Apart from the nicotine itself of course.
These products are considered the safest choices and are designed in a way as to not lure non-users into becoming addicted. Which is a clear danger when it comes to products like a “magic strawberry spring” vape attracting teens. Only an addict trying to quit will use patches or chewing gums since they lack the attractiveness of the more consumer oriented products.
Using one NRT method, for example patches, has been shown to help 14 percent of heavy smokers to quit, while combining two or more methods (for example adding nicotine chewing gum) helped 17 percent. It might be important to notice that these methods are not risk nor side effect-free. Chewing gums may for example cause stomach problems.
Which nicotine is best for you?
No nicotine is “good” for you. All products and distribution methods carry some health risk. There are simply no 100 percent safe ways of using nicotine. But the way it is being used greatly influences their impact.
Combustible products (like cigarettes) are by far the most harmful, while smokeless and non-tobacco alternatives vary in their risk levels. For individuals seeking to reduce harm, switching from smoking to non-combustible forms can be a meaningful step.
At Swedish Smokeless Solutions, we continually develop new products, with different flavors, formats and ingredients aimed at providing the best nicotine experience possible.
