What Sweetener is in Nicotine Pouches?

December 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2024 study, oral nicotine pouches from major US-marketed brands contain significant amounts of artificial sweeteners like acesulfame-K and sucralose. This article explores what sweetener is in nicotine pouches, the specific types used, and the reasons behind their inclusion in the product formulation.

Quick Summary

Nicotine pouches typically contain artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium, and sometimes natural options like xylitol, to mask the bitter taste of nicotine and enhance flavor. They do not contain sugar, which helps with product stability and dental health, but the additives appeal especially to young users.

Key Points

Artificial Sweeteners Dominate: Most nicotine pouches use artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium to mask bitterness and add flavor.
Zero Sugar Formulation: Nicotine pouches do not contain sugar. Artificial sweeteners are preferred for their stability and to prevent fermentation, which would degrade the product.
Sweetness Masks Bitterness: Sweeteners help overcome the naturally harsh taste of pure nicotine, making the pouches more pleasant to use.
Attractiveness to Young People: The sweet and fruity flavors achieved with these sweeteners have raised concerns from researchers and regulators about their appeal to non-nicotine users, especially youth.
Natural Alternatives Exist: Some brands offer natural sweeteners like xylitol, stevia, or monk fruit extract for consumers who prefer to avoid artificial additives.
Higher Nicotine, More Sweetener: At least one study found that in some brands, higher nicotine strengths corresponded with higher sweetener content, suggesting it is used to offset increased bitterness.
Regulatory Scrutiny: The unregulated use of sweeteners in oral nicotine products is a growing area of concern for regulators aiming to reduce product appeal among new users.

Common Sweeteners Found in Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouches are formulated to deliver nicotine in a palatable, spit-free format without tobacco leaf. A key part of achieving this pleasant experience is the addition of sweeteners, which are used to mask the naturally harsh and bitter taste of pure nicotine. These are typically zero-calorie artificial sweeteners, which also offer benefits for product stability and consumer health preferences.

Artificial Sweeteners: The Standard

Major nicotine pouch brands overwhelmingly rely on artificial, high-intensity sweeteners to create their flavor profiles. These non-nutritive sweeteners provide sweetness without adding calories or affecting blood sugar levels, a feature appealing to many consumers.

Sucralose: Found in products like Velo, sucralose is an intense artificial sweetener that is approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar. It is highly stable and provides a clean, long-lasting sweetness. Some studies have found that certain higher-nicotine strength Velo pouches contain correspondingly higher sucralose levels.
Acesulfame Potassium (Acesulfame-K): Often used in conjunction with other sweeteners, acesulfame-K is found in brands like Zyn and On!. It is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar and is known for its stability. Research has also detected acesulfame-K in products labeled as 'unflavored', indicating its use in masking nicotine's natural taste.
Aspartame: While less common in newer product generations, aspartame has been identified in some older oral nicotine products, such as certain snus variants marketed in the US. Aspartame provides sweetness roughly 200 times that of sugar but is not as heat-stable as sucralose.

Natural Sweeteners and Sugar Alcohols

Some manufacturers and consumers prefer to avoid artificial ingredients, leading to the use of more naturally derived alternatives, or polyols, which also provide a clean, sweet flavor.

Xylitol: This is a sugar alcohol commonly used in mint-flavored products and chewing gum. It provides a sweet taste and is non-cariogenic, meaning it does not contribute to tooth decay. Velo is one brand that has listed xylitol as an ingredient.
Stevia and Monk Fruit Extract: For those seeking fully natural, non-caloric options, some brands use extracts from stevia or monk fruit. These provide a sweetness profile preferred by some health-conscious users.

Why are Sweeteners Used?

Sweeteners serve several critical functions within nicotine pouch formulations that go beyond simply providing a sweet taste. Their strategic inclusion is designed to enhance the overall user experience and product appeal.

Masking Nicotine's Bitterness

At the core of the flavor strategy is masking the inherent bitterness of nicotine. Nicotine in purified form can be irritating and harsh on the palate. By adding sweeteners and flavorings, manufacturers create a more palatable product, which can facilitate its uptake and ongoing use. A 2024 study involving mice demonstrated that the sweetness from artificial sweeteners effectively suppressed the aversive effects of nicotine, increasing product consumption.

Enhancing Shelf Life and Stability

Unlike traditional sugars, artificial sweeteners do not promote microbial growth or degrade over time. This stability ensures a consistent flavor profile and a longer shelf life for the pouches. If sugar were used, it could ferment or spoil, making it an impractical choice for a product designed for extended storage.

Consumer Appeal and Palatability

The availability of sweet flavors in nicotine products, similar to those found in popular foods and beverages, makes them particularly appealing, especially to younger demographics. Critics argue that this flavoring strategy and the inclusion of high-intensity sweeteners are tactics to attract new, non-traditional nicotine users. This echoes past concerns regarding the marketing of flavored tobacco products to younger consumers.

Comparison of Sweeteners in Nicotine Pouches


Sweetener Type	Examples	Use in Pouches	Pros	Cons
Artificial	Sucralose, Acesulfame K, Aspartame	Dominant in major brands like Zyn, Velo, and On!	High intensity sweetness, zero calories, high stability, non-cariogenic	Potential health concerns or sensitivities for some individuals; associated with youth appeal
Natural	Stevia, Monk Fruit Extract	Used by some manufacturers as an alternative	Natural sourcing, non-caloric appeal for some consumers	Flavor profile can vary; potential for slight aftertaste
Sugar Alcohol	Xylitol, Maltitol	Found in various brands and often mint flavors	Sweetens without sugar, offers minty cooling sensation	May cause digestive issues if consumed in very high quantities

Regulation and Market Implications

Regulatory bodies like the FDA have faced scrutiny over the regulation of oral nicotine products, particularly concerning flavorings and sweeteners. While flavored cigarettes are heavily regulated, loopholes exist for newer nicotine products, which some argue exploit the appeal of sweet flavors to attract young people.

Studies suggest that regulating sweetener levels in these products could be an effective way to reduce their attractiveness and combat initiation by new users, particularly adolescents. This has become a significant point of discussion as the market for oral nicotine pouches continues to expand rapidly. Research from Duke University, for instance, explicitly connected the use of artificial sweeteners to increased nicotine consumption in test subjects.

Conclusion

In summary, nicotine pouches are most commonly sweetened with zero-calorie artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium, though natural alternatives like xylitol are also used. The primary reasons for this choice are to counteract the natural bitterness of nicotine, ensure product stability, and provide a palatable, flavorful experience. While these sweeteners are generally recognized as safe for food consumption, their use in nicotine products has raised regulatory concerns about their role in product appeal, particularly to younger users. Understanding the ingredients in nicotine pouches is key for consumers making informed choices about their use.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, nicotine pouches do not contain sugar. They use zero-calorie artificial or natural sweeteners to provide a sweet taste without the issues of using real sugar, such as promoting bacterial growth and affecting blood sugar.

Sucralose, commonly known by the brand name Splenda, is a zero-calorie artificial sweetener used in some nicotine pouches to provide sweetness. It is approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar and is highly stable.

Acesulfame potassium, also known as Acesulfame-K, is another high-intensity artificial sweetener found in many nicotine pouches, including Zyn and On!. It helps mask the bitter nicotine flavor and is calorie-free.

Manufacturers add sweeteners to mask the naturally harsh and bitter taste of nicotine, enhance the flavor profile, and increase the product's shelf life. It makes the product more palatable and appealing to consumers.

Sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame-K are generally recognized as safe for food consumption by regulatory bodies like the FDA. However, their long-term health effects in oral nicotine products are still being studied, and they raise concerns about youth appeal.

Yes, some nicotine pouch brands offer unsweetened or unflavored varieties. Others use natural sweeteners like xylitol, stevia, or monk fruit extract instead of artificial ones.

The white powder inside nicotine pouches is a mix of ingredients, primarily plant-based fibers (like cellulose) and nicotine, along with flavorings, stabilizers, and sweeteners.