Nicotine Pouches for Beginners

• Start low strength when using nicotine pouches for beginners.
• Mini formats are practical, as they can be easier to adjust to.
• Flavours such as berry, fruit blends, and coffee can be suitable for new users.
• Start with shorter usage times (10–30 minutes).
• Make sure to follow best practices such as storing snus properly.

If you're new to snus, which refers to tobacco leaf-free nicotine pouches in the UK, these four principles are useful to bear in mind: 

• Start low strength 
• Pick a beginner-friendly pouch format 
• Select suitable flavours 
• Use nicotine pouches correctly 

If you’re completely new to nicotine pouches as a beginner, start with our “What Are Nicotine Pouches?” guide. 

Throughout this snus for beginners guide, “snus” refers to tobacco-free nicotine pouches, not traditional tobacco snus. 

Northerner does not encourage people who are not currently users of nicotine to start using nicotine pouches. Nicotine is an addictive substance.

Nicotine pouch strength is one of the most important factors for beginners to consider. 

For beginners, typical recommended strengths are:  

• Low strength pouches (0.1—3 mg) 
• Normal strength snus (3.1—6 mg)  

Starting with lower strengths allows you to assess your tolerance before moving up. 

Low and Normal are Northerner’s own strength categories. We created these categories to help users navigate nicotine pouch strength, because there is no universal standard for strength labelling. 

Explore our nicotine pouch strength guide for more information.

Pouches come in three formats: mini pouch format, slim, and regular. 

Slim pouch format is the most popular, but mini pouches can be practical for beginners to start with. 

This is because: 

• They feel smaller and lighter under the lip. 
• They often contain lower nicotine levels. 
• They allow you to try different flavours and strengths comfortably.

Nicotine pouch flavours are also important to consider when selecting snus for beginners. 

Flavour does not change nicotine strength. However, mint and citrus varieties often create cooling or zesty sensations that may feel more intense, especially for first-time users. 

Because of this, some beginners may prefer flavours like: 

• Berry 
• Fruit blends 
• Coffee 
• Light mint 

If you’re unsure of which flavour to choose, selecting a lower strength in one of these flavour profiles can be a useful starting point.

As a beginner, it’s better to keep snus usage simple: 

• Place the pouch under your upper lip, slightly to the left or right 
• Do not chew the pouch 
• Start with shorter use times (10—30 minutes) 
• Remove if discomfort goes beyond mild tingling 

For a full step-by-step explanation, read our complete “How to Use Snus and Nicotine Pouches” guide. 

A slight tingling sensation is normal at first.

Finally, pay attention to how you feel. If you experience any snus side effects beyond mild tingling, remove the pouch and consider choosing a lower strength.

There’s no recommended number of how many snus to use per day. 

As a new user, it’s best to: 

• Start gradually 
• Space usage throughout the day 
• Monitor how you feel 

Less is more when you’re starting out.

Below are commonly asked questions about nicotine pouches from new users.

Wondering what is the best snus for beginners? 

If you want to buy snus online that is suitable for new users, Northerner offers one of the widest selections of beginner-friendly nicotine pouches in the UK. 

The following pouches are low-strength options in beginner-friendly flavours, often in mini format:

Starting with low strength, choosing mini formats, and pacing usage are advised ways to start with nicotine pouches.