True or false: Is white snus a drug?

white snus is also known as pouches nicotine or nicotine pouches. In terms of format, it's inspired by Swedish snus, except that it contains no trace of tobacco. white snus is in fact a smoking cessation tool*. It enables smokers to distance themselves from the harmful effects of cigarettes, while satisfying their nicotine dependency. True or false? Is white snus a drug? Nicopouches tackles the subject for you.

Nicotine substitutes

Nicotine replacement products are designed to replace cigarettes. The real danger here is tobacco combustion. NRTs (nicotine replacement therapies) allow nicotine absorption while limiting health risks, notably cancer. Nicotine substitutes are reduced-risk devices that do not contain the thousands of chemical and carcinogenic substances found in cigarettes. They have been developed with a common objective: to offer smokers an alternative to cigarettes, in the fight against smoking, which kills 8 million people worldwide every year. Since the invention of these substitutes, studies have shown that the chances of quitting smoking are multiplied by 2. 

Nicotine in smoking cessation

While cigarettes release high levels of nicotine into the body, nicotine substitutes do not present the same dangers, as nicotine absorption is generally slower. On the whole, smoking cessation aids work in a similar way. Nicotine is consumed at decreasing rates until dependence disappears.

What is a drug?

According to the French Ministry of Health, a drug is defined as "any psychotropic or psychoactive substance that disrupts the functioning of the central nervous system or alters states of consciousness." In France, the most widely used legal drugs are alcohol and tobacco. In fact, smokers are said to be addicted. The nicotine naturally present in tobacco, released in the form of smoke, is particularly addictive. Added to this is a cocktail of substances present in cigarettes that contribute to this addictive phenomenon. Nicotine is also naturally present in certain fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, eggplants and potatoes. While nicotine may be considered a drug in cigarettes, it is far from being so in fruit and vegetables. It's all a question of dosage, of course.

Nicotine: both an addictive weapon and a weaning tool

If the nicotine molecule is sometimes likened to a drug, what can be said about nicotine substitutes? To understand this assimilation, you need to know that nicotine is an effectively addictive substance. When consumed in cigarette form, the substances released create a psychoactive effect. It stimulates the body's production of dopamine, providing a feeling of well-being or a temporary boost of energy. What's more, over time, the body becomes accustomed to nicotine, which encourages smokers to smoke more and more, despite all the side effects of smoking.

Yet nicotine is a key element in successful smoking cessation. Nicotine replacement products enable you to control your daily nicotine intake, without the toxicity of smoking, until you have completely stopped smoking. Nicotine replacement products are not considered drugs. In fact, many health professionals recommend them as an aid to smoking cessation...

white snus = drug, really?

white snus has recently been introduced as a nicotine replacement product. It can be used as a supplement to NRT or on its own to help you quit smoking. Composed of flavors, plant fibers and nicotine at various levels, can pouches nicotine substitutes be likened to a drug?

As previously stated, nicotine is highly addictive and produces psychoactive effects. However, you should be aware that the nicotine dosage of your pouches products varies. You therefore have control over the amount of nicotine you need. Note that pouches nicotine products are used as a weaning tool: by gradually reducing nicotine doses, you can first wean yourself off tobacco and then nicotine. So, despite the addictive potential of these products, nicotine pouches is a much safer and less harmful alternative to tobacco.

* The nicotine contained in this product is highly addictive. Its use by non-smokers is not recommended. Exclusively intended for sale to adults.