A Brief History of Nicotine Pouches: From Snus to ZYN

Curious about where nicotine pouches came from? Here’s a quick look at how the category developed from Scandinavian snus traditions to modern tobacco leaf-free pouches, how ZYN first reached selected U.S. states before it was sold in Sweden, and how the category has evolved in the U.S. market. 

Nicotine pouches have roots in Scandinavia, where oral nicotine products like Swedish snus have been used for generations. In the 1970s, manufacturers started putting the tobacco into pouches. 

Snus is shown on the left; a nicotine pouch is shown on the right.

Nicotine pouches are different from snus because they do not contain tobacco leaf. Instead, they typically contain nicotine, plant-based fibers or fillers, flavorings, pH regulators, and other ingredients that vary by brand. The first modern nicotine pouch is commonly traced to Zonnic, registered in Scandinavia in 2008 and now sold as a nicotine replacement therapy in Swedish pharmacies.

From there, the category moved from a niche Scandinavian product idea into a broader commercial category, with brands developing tobacco leaf-free pouch formats for adult nicotine consumers. The nicotine pouch products sold on Nicokick are not approved or marketed for smoking cessation or nicotine cessation. 

2014: ZYN is Launched in Selected U.S. States

ZYN was first sold in Colorado in 2014, making the U.S. its first market. It was introduced on a limited basis before expanding to 11 western states in 2016. ZYN was not sold in Sweden until December 2016. 

2019–2021: More Brands Enter the Category 

By 2019, nicotine pouches were available nationwide. Brands such as on!, VELO, Lucy, Rogue, and others helped expand the category, with products differing by pouch size, flavor, moisture level, and nicotine content. 

Online availability also made it easier for adult consumers to compare brands, strengths, and formats. At the same time, the category drew more regulatory attention as products moved through the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Premarket Tobacco Product Application process. 

2022–2024: Rapid Growth and More Public Attention 

Between 2022 and 2024, nicotine pouches became much more visible in the U.S. market. New brands came to market, including ALP and Grizzly. 

That growth also brought more scrutiny around age verification, youth access prevention, product standards, state-level rules, and the difference between authorized and unauthorized products.

2025–2026: FDA Authorizations 

January 2025 marked the first FDA authorization of nicotine pouch products through the PMTA pathway after scientific review. The authorization applied to 20 ZYN products. 

In June 2026, FDA issued Modified Risk Tobacco Product orders for those same 20 ZYN products. The orders allow one specific claim for those 20 products only: “Using ZYN instead of cigarettes puts you at a lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.” 

That does not mean ZYN is safe, risk-free, “FDA approved,” or approved for smoking cessation. It also does not apply to every type of ZYN nicotine pouch or to other nicotine pouch brands.

As of 2026, nicotine pouches are no longer a brand-new category. They are part of a more regulated and closely watched U.S. market, with ongoing focus on product authorization, responsible marketing, youth access prevention, and adult access to compliant, age-restricted products.

One visible change is the wider range of product formats now available. Newer formats reflect how brands have expanded pouch design and product lineups as the category has matured.

Today’s U.S. market includes many more options than in 2014. On Nicokick, adult consumers can browse more than a dozen nicotine pouch brands currently stocked in the U.S., with products varying by brand, nicotine content, pouch format, flavor name, and pouch count. Nicokick does not sell snus.

The category’s future will depend on clear regulation, compliant communication, and strong safeguards designed to keep nicotine products out of the hands of anyone under 21. 

The products sold on this site contain nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical that may increase heart rate and blood pressure and pose risks for individuals with certain medical conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease. These products are intended only for adult (21+) current nicotine users and are not for non-users. Sales to persons under 21 are prohibited.