WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO SMOKING?

24. april 2026

 

Smoking alternatives 

Looking for smoking alternatives? There are many alternatives to smoking on the market. The main smoking alternatives available are vaping, nicotine gum, oral tobacco, snus and, of course, nicotine pouches. (Note: Snus is illegal in the UK under The Tobacco for Oral Use (Safety) Regulations).

These smoking alternatives aim for a similar nicotine experience. The first step is finding an alternative that works for you and your lifestyle. Here we take a look at each of them, and how they compare to smoking.

Learn everything you need to know about nicotine pouches in our guide.

 

Nicotine pouches

Nicotine pouches are small pouches that contain nicotine but not tobacco. They’re designed to be tucked between your lip and gum, where they release nicotine over a short time. They offer adult smokers and nicotine users a convenient and alternative way to consume nicotine.

 

Nicotine pouches vs. cigarettes

• Nicotine pouches release nicotine without tobacco*

• No smoke. No burning. No ash*

• You can use pouches anytime, anywhere

 

What is VELO?

VELO nicotine pouches don’t contain tobacco and contain 99% less toxicants** than cigarettes. They’re made from high-quality ingredients, including water, plant-based materials, flavouring, sweeteners and pharmaceutical grade nicotine. VELO pouches also come in an assortment of flavours and nicotine strengths for different tastes and nicotine experience levels. You can use them anywhere, at any time.

 

Vaping Devices

A vape, or electronic cigarette, is a device that heats up an e-liquid to create an inhalable vapour. Vapes come in various sizes, colours and types, with many flavours and strengths of e-liquids in bottles or pods.

 

Vaping Versus Cigarettes

• Vapes don't contain tobacco*
• They don't burn and don't produce any smoke*
• That means no stale cigarette odour, and no ash* on your clothes

 

Heated Products

Heated products gently heat tobacco to produce an aerosol, rather than burning the tobacco like regular cigarettes. This gentle heating process is referred to as ‘heat not burn’ technology.

 

Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum is a tobacco-free alternative to smoking, and releases nicotine as you chew it. After you’ve chewed it a few times, you tuck it in your cheek to absorb the nicotine.

Some people don’t like the taste or feel of nicotine gum, and possible effects of chewing nicotine gum is a lot of extra saliva. It may use if you have dentures or other dental work. VELO nicotine pouches alternative as they don’t require any chewing.

 

Oral Tobacco

Oral tobacco, also known as chewing tobacco, is dried tobacco that is chewed and either spat out or swallowed. The nicotine from the tobacco is absorbed via the mouth. However, this product still contains tobacco, whereas nicotine pouches are tobacco-free*.

 

Snus

Snus is a type of oral tobacco commonly used in the Nordics and the USA. It comes in pouches and is placed under the upper lip, however, unlike VELO nicotine pouches, it contains tobacco. Snus is also illegal in the UK and the European Union (apart from Sweden).

 

Nicotine Patches

Nicotine patches are a slow acting nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). They deliver a steady dose of nicotine through your skin. You can wear a 24-hour patch all the time, to help with cravings when you wake up, or a 16-hour patch for while you're awake. Patches come in different strengths.

 

Nicotine Lozenges

Nicotine lozenges are a fast-acting nicotine replacement therapy. You suck a lozenge and then rest it inside your cheek to deliver nicotine through the lining of your mouth and throat. Lozenges come in different strengths.

 

*This product is not risk-free and contains nicotine, an addictive substance.

**This product is not risk-free and contains nicotine, an addictive substance. 99% less toxicants than a cigarette comparison is based on an assessment of smoke from a scientific standard reference cigarette (approximately 9mg tar) and components released during use of a VELO pouch, in terms of the average of the 9 harmful components the World Health Organisation recommends to reduce in cigarette smoke.

 

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