This No Smoking Day 2026, we are encouraging the estimated 260,000 people in Wales who smoke to consider …
Exploring Other Nicotine Products
There are a growing number of nicotine products available beyond cigarettes and vapes. Some are marketed as alternatives, while others are designed to be used alongside quitting.
Not all of these products are intended to help people stop smoking, and some have far less evidence behind them than others. Here’s what you need to know.
Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine pouches are small, white pouches placed under your lip. They release nicotine into your body without smoking or inhaling.
Are They Safe?
They don’t contain tobacco and avoid many of the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, such as tar and carbon monoxide. However, they still contain nicotine, which is addictive and can affect things like heart rate and blood pressure.
Can They Help You Quit?
Nicotine pouches are not currently licensed as stop smoking aids in the UK.
Some people may use them to cut down, but they are not recommended as a first choice for quitting smoking compared to more established options.
Heat-Not-Burn Products
Heat-not-burn devices warm tobacco instead of burning it, producing a vapour rather than smoke.
Are They Safe?
They may produce fewer harmful chemicals than cigarettes, but they still contain tobacco and release toxins. They are not risk-free.
Can They Help You Quit?
These products are not recommended as a way to stop smoking. They still involve using tobacco and do not replace the need to quit.
Other Oral Nicotine Products
You may also come across products such as nicotine strips, dissolvables, or nicotine toothpicks. These release nicotine through the mouth without smoking or vaping.
What You Should Know
These products are becoming more visible, but there is currently limited independent evidence on how effective they are for quitting smoking.
They are not typically recommended as a first choice, and long-term research is still developing.
Nicotine-Free or “Herbal” Alternatives
Some products are marketed as nicotine-free or “natural” alternatives to smoking.
Even without nicotine, these products can still involve inhaling substances into the lungs and are not risk-free. They are not recommended as a way to quit smoking.
What actually works if you want to quit
There are lots of products available, but the most effective ways to stop smoking are those with strong evidence behind them.
These include:
- Free stop smoking support, like Help Me Quit
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
- Prescription stop smoking medicines (where appropriate)
- Vaping for adult smokers who are trying to move away from cigarettes
Learn more about nicotine replacement therapy. Get free support from Help Me Quit