How Women Helped Change the Game in Smokeless Nicotine 

As National Women’s History Month wraps up, we’re taking a moment to spotlight the powerful—and often overlooked—ways women have helped shape the nicotine industry. From homemade snus blends in Sweden to today’s modern pouches, women’s preferences for convenience and discretion when it comes to their nicotine have played a key role in transforming how it is consumed. 

 

The Roots of Modern Oral Nicotine 

The story of oral nicotine starts with Swedish snus, a smokeless tobacco product that gained popularity in the 18th century.  

 

While snus use was largely dominated by men—especially laborers seeking alternatives to smoking—cigarettes gained traction among women in the 20th century, symbolizing modernity and independence. 

 

As we came to learn more about the health risks associated with combustible tobacco, smoking rates began to drop dramatically. This shift set the stage for the rise of modern smokeless nicotine alternatives. 

 

The Turning Point: Portioned Snus 

For decades, traditional snus was sold in a loose format that required pinching and shaping by hand —a messy and inconvenient process. That changed in 1967 when Swedish professor Curtin Sell introduced portioned snus, inspired by the design of teabags. 

 

This innovation resonated especially with women, thanks to its: 

 

  • Hygienic format – No contact with loose tobacco. 

  • Convenient use – Easier to enjoy in public. 

  • More accessible options – Including mini portions and less intense strengths. 

 

As more and more women adopted portioned snus, the industry started to take note, introducing: 

 

  • Flavored alternatives to traditional tobacco; 

  • A variety of portion sizes; 

  • And eventually, an entirely tobacco-free solution.

 

The Rise of Nicotine Pouches 

Fast forward to the 2000s, and the next major innovation arrived: nicotine pouches. 

 

Building on the success of portioned snus and society’s growing awareness of the health risks of cigarettes, nicotine pouches revolutionized how adults consume nicotine.  

 

The appeal? Convenience, simplicity, and customization. Sweden offers a clear example of this shift. As highlighted in the documentary, The How Sweden Quit Smoking, “more women today realize that they can get nicotine without smoking.”  

 

This consumer-driven evolution helped broaden the category’s appeal beyond its male-dominated past and pushed modern oral nicotine into the mainstream. 

 

Women’s Lasting Impact on Modern Oral Nicotine 

While the nicotine industry wasn’t originally built with women in mind, their influence is undeniable. Preferences for convenience, flexibility, and low-key use have shaped what we now know as modern oral nicotine. 

 

Today’s nicotine pouches reflect those priorities—with more formats, flavors, and strengths designed to fit more preferences. 

 

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Modern Oral Nicotine? 

As nicotine pouches gain momentum, recent FDA marketing authorizations—like the one granted to ZYN—signal a new era of regulatory clarity. These steps could open the door to more innovation, from synthetic nicotine formulations to expanded flavor offerings. 

 

And if history is any guide, women will continue to play a key role in shaping the future of smokeless nicotine.