Nicotine pouch
Nicotine pouches are white pre-portioned pouches containing either tobacco derived nicotine or synthetic nicotine, but no tobacco leaf, dust, or stem, and are described as either similar to or a tobacco-free version of snus. Nicotine pouches are usually longer lasting and have a longer shelf-life than traditional snus. To use a nicotine pouch, the user puts a pouch between the upper lip and gum, and leaves it there while the nicotine and taste is being released. When finished, the pouch is disposed of in household trash. Many brands have a storage area in the top  case (a ‘catch lid’) where used pouches can be kept if no trash can is readily available. The small pouches are not like chewing tobacco, as the user does not need to spit, since the contents of the pouches stay inside the pouches during use. No combustion is involved during use. There is no independent testing of their constituents, exposure or biomarkers of effects. Research analyzing their nicotine delivery is unavailable. The pouches are sold in an array of flavors. In 2019, five big tobacco companies offered nicotine pouch products. Usage. The history behind nicotine pouches is not a very  long one, unlike its ancestor – Swedish snus. However, the two do share many similarities, which may be why pouches became popular almost immediately upon their first release back in 2018. Many of Sweden’s leading snus manufacturers, such as Swedish Match, Skruf and AG Snus created their nicotine pouch brands (ZYN, Shiro, Swave etc) as a direct response to demand for a nicotine option with less conspicuous usage. No studies are available to determine if smokers would switch to nicotine pouches or if they would continue to smoke and use nicotine pouches, resulting in dual use. Nicotine pouches typically cost  about as much as a pack of regular cigarettes. Unlike vaping products, they require no batteries and no accessory device. Nicotine pouches may entice youth as well as young adult never-smokers because they are available in an array of flavours and may be used unobtrusively. In Norwegian pharmacies, nicotine pouches are also sold as a delivery mechanism for nicotine replacement therapy, approved by the Norwegian Medicines Agency for smoking cessation and sold under the brand Zonnic. Contents. Nicotine pouches often contain food grade fillers, water, salt, flavorings and nicotine. Nicotine pouches are sold in an array of flavors, such  as peppermint, black cherry, coffee and citrus, among many others. The nicotine content among nicotine pouch brands varies from 1 mg/pouch to 6 mg/pouch. Research. Although nicotine pouches have the possibility of being a reduced risk product, there is no independent testing of their constituents, exposure, or biomarkers of effects. Research analyzing their nicotine delivery is unavailable. The pouches contain the addictive chemical nicotine. Nicotine may be carcinogenic and has widespread adverse effects on many systems of the body. Opposition. Advocacy groups opposed to the introduction of nicotine pouches in Kenya have protested that they may raise the  risk of cancer, heart disease, and reproductive or developmental harms. The Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance alleged that given the higher levels of some toxic chemicals, and what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said was a lack of medical data showing the pouches are safer than cigarettes (as claimed by manufacturer British American Tobacco), the government should not license the product. Czech military psychologist Michal Kříž warns that nicotine pouches can become addictive. He also claims that nicotine pouches can be a "pathway" to other drugs, such as marijuana, and then it's one step to methamphetamine. Classification. Nicotine pouches  are regulated differently around the world. In some countries, like Norway and Canada, their sale in general stores are banned because they are classified as a new nicotine product. In other countries, they are sold freely, because they do not classify as a tobacco product due to their lack of tobacco. Although nicotine pouches are not heavily regulated in the European Union, some regulatory characteristics fall under the European Union CLP-Regulation (EC) 1272/2008. It is assumed nicotine pouches are classified as tobacco products in the US because they contain nicotine obtained from tobacco. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches were for  sale in Norway from 2014 to 2018, under the name Epok. In June 2018 the Norwegian Directorate of Health forced British American Tobacco Norway to remove Epok from sale or face daily fines of 150 000 NOK, due to reasons which were described as "ridiculous" by Norwegian press and politicians. The Norwegian Directorate of Health argued that since Epok didn't contain any tobacco, it was a new form of nicotine product, distinct from the other forms of snus approved in Norway. New forms of nicotine products are extremely unlikely to get approved. Approval for the nicotine pouch brand ZYN  had already been rejected twice for a very similar product. Within days of the ban, Epok was re-introduced to the Norwegian market, with a minute amount of bleached tobacco added, to qualify as snus, an already approved form of nicotine product. Because tobacco-free nicotine pouches were not banned there, the Epok brand was discontinued in Sweden and replaced by Lyft, an otherwise identical product that contains pine and eucalyptus fibers instead of tobacco filler. As of February 2020, Epok is still sold by Norwegian and Swedish grocery stores. In Canada, nicotine is considered a prescription drug, therefore personal  imports of nicotine products are prohibited. Exceptions do exist for those being of these criteria: a health practitioner or medical practitioner, a drug manufacturer, a wholesale druggist, a pharmacist, or a resident of a foreign country while a visitor in Canada.