The History of Nicotine Pouches: When Were Nicotine Pouches Invented?

First produced in the early 2000s in Scandinavia, nicotine pouches are a popular smoke-free alternative to cigarettes. These small pillow-shaped pouches were designed to discreetly deliver nicotine to the adult user when placed between the gum and upper lip. 

Since then, tobacco-leaf-free nicotine pouches have developed further, and by the 2020s, brands like ZYN are available in many countries around the world. With varieties in nicotine strengths and different nicotine pouch flavours available, they are a popular choice for adult users looking for a smoke-free and vapour-free way to experience nicotine.  

Where Do Nicotine Pouches Come From?

The origins of oral nicotine products can be traced back to Sweden. In the 1700s, Swedish farmers began to create small pouches of moistened tobacco leaves as a smoke-free and oral way to use tobacco. This is commonly known as snus.  

Snus is not legal within the UK or most of the EU – with the exception of Sweden. However, nicotine pouches like ZYN differ from snus as it is known, as ZYN provides a tobacco-leaf-free nicotine experience.  

The nicotine in ZYN is derived from tobacco but ZYN does not contain tobacco leaf. In contrast to tobacco-containing pouches, ZYN offers a reduced-risk way to experience nicotine.

ZYN is not risk free as it contains nicotine which is highly addictive. For adult use only. 

When Did ZYN Nicotine Pouches Come Out?

So when was ZYN created? And when did ZYN nicotine pouches come out for public sale? 

Early 2010s: ZYN was under development by creators Swedish Match 

2014: ZYN was initially launched in the United States, starting in Colorado 

2016: ZYN sales spread across various US states 

2016: ZYN was marketed in Sweden for the first time 

Late 2010s: ZYN nicotine pouches gained further popularity 

2019: ZYN was officially launched in the United Kingdom 

2022: Swedish Match became a part of Philip Morris International 

2025: ZYN is available in 12 countries across the globe, and available in thousands of stores worldwide as the No. 1 nicotine pouch brand*

No smoke, no vapour, no tobacco**

The History of ZYN Nicotine Pouches

We’ve expanded our product line and are available for purchase online and in several stores and supermarkets across the country. Find your nearest ZYN stocklist here, or purchase ZYN products online today. 

*PMI reported global shipment volumes and in-market sales estimates of nicotine pouch units, from December 2023 to December 2024

**The nicotine in ZYN is derived from tobacco but ZYN does not contain tobacco leaf.