ZYN vs Vaping: Assessing Tobacco-Free* Options
A number of smoke-free and tobacco-free* nicotine products have risen in popularity over the last 5 -10 years - including vapes and nicotine pouches. Depending on the product, these can both also be alternatives for adult smokers to consider switching to over continuing to smoke.
There are many different vapes available on the market for those wanting to go tobacco-free.* What’s more, there’s also now a range of tobacco-free* nicotine pouches to discover.
In this article, we’ll explore the tobacco-free* options available and the ways in which you can experience nicotine without smoke or vapour. Along with examining the pros and cons of nicotine pouches, we’ll also explore answers to questions like ‘is ZYN better than vaping?’ and how these two smoke-free, tobacco-free* products compare.
* The nicotine in ZYN is derived from tobacco but ZYN does not contain tobacco leaf.
ZYN vs Vapes: Is ZYN Better Than Vaping?
Both tobacco-free* alternatives offer their own experiences, so whether nicotine pouches or vaping is better for you will be influenced by your own personal preferences.
- Product size: ZYN pouches are small, discreet pouches that fit between your upper lip and gum. The tins they come in vary in size depending on the quantity within but typically can fit within a pocket. Vapes come in all shapes and sizes, from ultra-slim pen-like shapes to larger devices with mods. In general, vapes will take up more space than a single nicotine pouch.
- Ease of use: When it comes to ZYN pouches vs vaping, one key thing to know is that nicotine pouches don’t require a device and are quite straightforward to use - simply place the small, white pouch between your upper lip and gum to experience the nicotine and flavour. Vapes on the other hand do require a device to turn the e-liquid into the vapour you use.
- Customisation: Are nicotine pouches stronger than vapes? Nicotine pouches and vape e-liquids are both available in different nicotine strengths, as well as flavours. However, reusable vapes, particularly with the addition of mods, mean the vaping experience is more customisable.
- Maintenance: Vapes will need recharging, refilling, and device maintenance from time to time. Nicotine pouches such as ZYN are designed to be disposed after each use, meaning they don’t require any upkeep.
ZYN vs Vaping: Usage in Public Spaces
One key factor to consider in the nicotine pouches vs vaping debate is where you can use these two tobacco free alternatives. As both products offer different experiences, how and where you can use them in public may differ.
- Using nicotine pouches indoors: Nicotine pouches can be used more discreetly and do not produce vapour, and as such, can be allowed in indoor public spaces where vaping is not.
- Using vapes indoors: Although vaping indoors is not illegal, pubs, clubs, cafes, bars and other venues (e.g. concert halls and stadiums), may have set their own rules on usage within these spaces. A lot of indoor public spaces ban vaping on their premises or restrict it to certain areas. That said, it’s always best to check with the individual establishment. Vaping is also banned on public transport in the UK.
ZYN vs Vaping: Flavour
- Changing flavours: If you want to change the flavour of your vape, you will need to swap the e-liquid inside of the device. If you want to change the flavour of your nicotine pouch, you can simply choose a different flavour option.
- Adjusting to preferences: With nicotine pouches, the flavour experience provided with a specific pouch is set and can’t be altered. With vaping, you might be able to adjust the flavour experience to your preferences, depending on the vape you’re using - doing this by changing e-liquids and adjusting features like the wattage and airflow.
- Flavour variety: ZYN comes in a range of pouch sizes, flavours and nicotine strengths, each thoughtfully designed for your nicotine moments. All this considered, is ZYN better than vaping from a flavour perspective? While it depends on the vape you’re comparing it to, our variety of ZYN flavours have been developed to deliver an excellent taste experience whatever flavour you choose. One of the ZYN benefits is that they are available in a wide range of flavours, from Cool Mint to Chili Guava, Citrus and more.
Why Use Tobacco-Free* Alternatives?
Switching to smoke-free, tobacco-free* alternatives to cigarettes can help adult smokers avoid some of the harmful substances in tobacco smoke. When a cigarette is lit, it produces thousands of chemicals, with 100 of these associated with smoking related diseases. While the exact substances that nicotine pouches and vapes produce should be substantiated on a product-by-product basis, neither of them should produce tobacco smoke. Whether you prefer the inhalation of vapes or decide if ZYN is better than vaping will depend on your personal preferences.
Nicotine Pouches as a Tobacco-Free* Alternative
Nicotine pouches are a modern, tobacco-free* and smoke-free alternative for nicotine users. Although they haven’t been around long in the UK, nicotine pouches are a popular smoke-free alternative in Scandinavia and elsewhere, because they are a simple and convenient smoke-free and tobacco-free* way to experience nicotine.
There are a number of different nicotine pouch products currently on the market, including ZYN.
Is ZYN tobacco-free? Yes. Nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco, and this includes ZYN’s nicotine pouch range. ZYN tobacco-free pouches do, however, contain nicotine, and there’s no such thing as a ZYN nicotine-free pouch.
Nicotine pouches typically contain nicotine, plant-based fibres and flavourings - although the exact ingredients in a nicotine pouch will depend on the product in question.
Using nicotine pouches as a smoke-free alternative is a popular swap from cigarettes.
Vaping as a Tobacco-Free* Alternative
Vaping could be a smoke-free and tobacco-free* alternative to continued smoking - depending on the product in question. Typically, instead of tobacco, vapes heat an e-liquid - producing vapour rather than tobacco smoke. This e-liquid often contains nicotine as well as flavourings and other ingredients like Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glyerin (VG).
For example, VEEV ONE liquids are made using high quality ingredients. VEEV ONE features a compact ceramic heating technology, and there’s a new mini ceramic heater in every VEEV ONE pod. Each pod is pre-filled with e-liquid, and pod insertion is aided by magnetic connector onto the device body. Not every vape will operate similar to VEEV ONE though. There are a range of other rechargeable vapes that may work differently.
Which Tobacco-Free* Alternative is Right for Me?
With a broader understanding of different tobacco-free* nicotine products, you can now choose the one which works best for you. The pros and cons of nicotine pouches vs vaping will influence each person’s decision individually. ZYN nicotine pouches are a suitable option to consider if you want to move away from consuming nicotine using tobacco or the act of combustion. However, as with choosing any product, it’s important to do your research and discover what works best for you. Discover more about nicotine pouches vs. smoking on our blog.
Smoke-free products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.
This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.
Last updated: 05/06/2025
