I used vaping to stop smoking. It worked. But now I want to cut down (and, ideally, stop vaping). I hate 0mg vape juice; it’s just the most depressing thing in the world.
So, I opted to try two newish NRTs for the UK market: nicotine pouches and nicotine toothpicks.
For the past 6 months, I’ve used both fairly interchangeably, as well as the occasional toot on my pod vape.
Both have their merits and cons, but after six months I am definitely leaning more towards one NRT than the other.
Here’s everything you need to know about what it’s like trying to cut down on your vaping using nicotine pouches and nicotine toothpicks and which, in my humble opinion, is the better, overall option.
What Are Nicotine Pouches?
Nicotine pouches are small, white pouches filled with plant fiber and nicotine. You stick one under your upper lip, and it slowly releases nicotine via buccal absorption — no smoke, vapor, or spitting required.
They’re discreet, easy to carry, and available in tons of flavors and nicotine strengths.
👍 Pros:
- Effective nicotine delivery
- Smoke-free and vapor-free
- Legal and usable in most public spaces
- Available in varying strengths (2mg–12mg+)
- No devices or charging needed
👎 Cons:
- Most of them taste… pretty bad (think chemical-minty plastic)
- Can cause gum irritation with extended use
- Some people report nausea or dizziness, especially at higher strengths
- Flavors can fade fast
What Are Nicotine Toothpicks?
Nicotine toothpicks like NicPix are literally wooden toothpicks infused with nicotine and flavoring. You chew, suck, or hold them between your teeth, and nicotine is absorbed through your gums and cheeks, just like with pouches.
But here’s the twist: they actually taste amazing.
My First Experience With Nicotine Toothpicks (AKA: The Moment I Was Sold)
A few months back, I was at a vape industry tradeshow and stumbled across NicPix; I got myself a free sample to test out. I’d never tried a nicotine toothpick before, and I don’t mind admitting I didn’t have high expectations.
After lunch, heading into a meeting, I popped one in my mouth instead of hitting my pod vape. Within minutes, my cravings disappeared — no vape, no pouch, just a damn toothpick.
Even better? The flavor — I tried Blueberry Sour Raspberry; it quickly became my go-to flavor — was exactly like my favorite bar salt vape juice. It lasted 40+ minutes, tasted great the whole time, and left no lingering chemical weirdness.
That was the moment I realized: this works.
So… Nicotine Pouches vs Toothpicks — Which Is Better?
If you wanna cut down on your vaping (or quit smoking) and you’re thinking about nicotine pouches, before you pull the trigger on a tin do yourself a favour and try nicotine toothpicks like NicPix first.
I’ve used nicotine pouches for months, and while they’re great, the gum irritation thing is real. I don’t think they do actual damage like proper snus but they do make your gums feel tender and sensitive.
Toothpicks do not do this. And there’s more; check out the table below for more differences:
| Feature | Nicotine Pouches | Nicotine Toothpicks |
|---|---|---|
| Nicotine Delivery | Strong, consistent | Slower release, still effective |
| Flavor | Hit or miss — often artificial or bitter | Bar salt-style, sweet and accurate |
| Discreetness | Very discreet | Also discreet — looks like gum chewing |
| Ease of Use | Simple, toss in and go | Slightly more effort (chewing, rotating) |
| Comfort | Can cause gum burn or irritation | Gentler on the gums |
| Shelf Life | Sealed and stable | Same — wood keeps well |
| Cost | ~£5–7 per pack of 20 | ~£3.99 per pack of 20 |
| Best For | Heavy nicotine users, fast hits | Travellers, casual users, flavor chasers |
My Personal Verdict
I’ve used VELO, ZYN, and other nicotine pouches. They worked — but I never looked forward to using them. Most had a weird chemical aftertaste, and some made my gums feel raw after extended use.
Nicotine toothpicks, especially NicPix which is the best brand in the UK, were a different story.
The flavor was better, the hit was smooth, and the convenience (no device, no puffing, no recharging) made them perfect for planes, trains, and long days in the office.
Do they hit as hard as pouches? Not quite. But for cutting back or casual use, they’re brilliant.
Final Thoughts: Which Should You Try?
Here’s my recommendation:
- If you want stronger, faster nicotine hits and don’t mind rough flavors: try pouches
- If you want better taste, longer flavor life, and more enjoyable use overall: try toothpicks
- If you’re traveling a lot or trying to discreetly taper off vaping: toothpicks win hands down
For me, nicotine toothpicks helped me go from chain vaping daily to just vaping socially — and that was the whole goal.
If you wanna do the same, I’d suggest you give them a whirl (and for £3.99 per pack, they’re way cheaper than nicotine pouches as well)
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