Synthetic Nicotine (TFN): The Ultimate Guide For 2025

What Is Synthetic Nicotine?

Synthetic nicotine is exactly what it sounds like—nicotine that isn’t derived from tobacco.

It’s produced in a lab using chemical synthesis, meaning it doesn’t contain the impurities found in tobacco leaves.

The result? A product that delivers the same nicotine experience without the need for tobacco farming.

Why Was Synthetic Nicotine Created?

The main reason for synthetic nicotine’s rise? Regulations.

For years, tobacco-derived nicotine products have been strictly regulated, especially in the U.S.

When the FDA cracked down on flavored vaping products, many brands switched to synthetic nicotine, hoping to escape the rules.

That loophole didn’t last long.

In response to the increase of NTN in popular tobacco products, Congress passed a federal law which went into effect on April 14, 2022, clarifying FDA’s authority to regulate tobacco products containing nicotine from any source, including synthetic nicotine. This law makes FDA’s authority clear, and imposes requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) for manufacturers, importers, retailers, and distributors of NTN products. 

In April 2022, the FDA gained authority over synthetic nicotine, forcing manufacturers to comply with the same premarket approval process as traditional nicotine products.

How Is Synthetic Nicotine Made?

Synthetic nicotine is created through a process called chemical synthesis, where scientists build nicotine molecules in a lab rather than extracting them from tobacco leaves.

There are two main types:

1. Enantiomerically Pure Synthetic Nicotine (S-Isomer Only)
   • Identical to the nicotine found in tobacco.
   • Mimics the effects of natural nicotine with no unwanted variations.
2. Racemic Synthetic Nicotine (S & R-Isomers Mixed)
   • Contains both active (S) and inactive (R) nicotine molecules.
   • Some claim this affects absorption and overall nicotine strength.

Most manufacturers aim for S-Isomer nicotine, as it delivers the same hit as tobacco-derived nicotine.

Key Benefits of Synthetic Nicotine

• Higher purity: No residual tobacco compounds.
• Consistent quality: Lab-controlled production eliminates batch variations.
• No tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs): These harmful chemicals are present in traditional nicotine but absent in synthetic versions.

Where Is Synthetic Nicotine Used?

You’ll find synthetic nicotine in a variety of products, including:

• Vape juice (e-liquids) – Many vape brands now offer TFN (Tobacco-Free Nicotine) e-liquids.
• Nicotine pouches – Brands like Zyn and Velo use synthetic nicotine in their oral nicotine pouches.
• Disposable vapes – Companies like Puff Bar switched to synthetic nicotine to navigate flavor bans.

Is Synthetic Nicotine Safer?

Let’s be clear: Nicotine is still nicotine.

Whether it’s from tobacco or a lab, it’s highly addictive and can impact heart rate, blood pressure, and brain function.

Potential Health Benefits

• No TSNAs: Tobacco-derived nicotine contains tobacco-specific nitrosamines, which are linked to cancer. Synthetic nicotine removes this risk.
• Fewer impurities: Because it’s lab-made, synthetic nicotine can be purer than tobacco-extracted nicotine.

Potential Risks

• Still addictive: It affects the same brain receptors as tobacco nicotine, meaning withdrawal, dependency, and cravings are just as strong.
• Long-term effects unknown: Since synthetic nicotine is relatively new, there’s little long-term research on its safety when inhaled or consumed.

Synthetic Nicotine vs. Tobacco-Derived Nicotine: What’s the Difference?

The FDA Crackdown: Is Synthetic Nicotine Legal?

The Regulatory Shift

Before April 2022, synthetic nicotine wasn’t regulated by the FDA, meaning brands could sell flavored vapes without premarket approval.

That loophole is now closed.

• All synthetic nicotine products must be FDA-approved to remain on the market.
• Manufacturers must submit premarket tobacco applications (PMTAs) for FDA review.
• Non-compliant products are illegal and subject to enforcement actions.

What This Means for Consumers

If you’re using a synthetic nicotine product, it must have FDA approval to be legally sold.

As of right now, the list of FDA-approved vaping products is small. Zyn pouches have just been approved by the agency, but most other traditional vapes have not.

And of the ones that have been approved, nearly all of them are big tobacco products – make of that what you will.

Here’s the full list of FDA authorized vaping products as of right now:

This authorization does not mean these products are “safe” or “FDA-approved”—all tobacco products are still considered harmful and addictive by the federal government.

Authorized Brands & Products

The FDA has granted marketing authorization to products from three manufacturers:

1. Logic Technology Development LLC
   • Logic Regular Cartridge/Capsule Package
   • Logic Vapeleaf Cartridge/Capsule Package
   • Logic Vapeleaf Tobacco Vapor System
   • Logic Pro Tobacco e-Liquid Package
   • Logic Pro Capsule Tank System
   • Logic Power Tobacco e-Liquid Package
   • Logic Power Rechargeable Kit
2. NJOY LLC
   • NJOY DAILY Rich Tobacco (4.5% nicotine)
   • NJOY DAILY EXTRA Rich Tobacco (6% nicotine)
   • NJOY ACE Device
   • NJOY ACE POD Classic Tobacco (2.4% & 5% nicotine)
   • NJOY ACE POD Rich Tobacco (5% nicotine)
3. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company (Vuse)
   • Vuse Vibe Power Unit & Original 3.0% Tank
   • Vuse Ciro Power Unit & Original 1.5% Cartridge
   • Vuse Solo Power Unit
   • Vuse Replacement Cartridge Original (4.8%)

Important Notes

• These are the only e-cigarettes legally authorized for sale in the U.S.
• Any other vaping products (especially flavored vapes) that have not received FDA authorization are considered illegal and could be subject to enforcement actions.
• The FDA’s authorization does not mean these products are safe—nicotine remains highly addictive.

Expect ongoing crackdowns on unapproved disposable vapes and e-liquids.

Market Trends: The Future of Synthetic Nicotine

Initially, synthetic nicotine was seen as a silver bullet for the vaping industry, a potential way around the FDA’s draconian regulations.

After all, how can you call something a tobacco product when it contains no actual tobacco? It’s a tough sell.

But that’s exactly what the FDA did in 2022, nixing hope of TFN vape juices evading its regulations.

Despite tighter laws, the demand for synthetic nicotine is skyrocketing, driven by consumer interest in “tobacco-free” products and major brands investing in TFN alternatives.

With projections estimating the market could reach nearly $3 billion by 2028, it’s clear synthetic nicotine isn’t going anywhere.

But as regulations evolve and public health concerns grow, will it remain a viable option, or is the industry heading for another shake-up?

Let’s break down the latest trends, market data, and what’s next for synthetic nicotine.

• The synthetic nicotine market is growing fast – In 2020, it was valued at $562 million and is projected to hit $2.98 billion by 2028.
• Big brands are moving in – Companies like British American Tobacco are launching TFN products.
• Regulations are tightening worldwide – The UK and EU are considering new rules to control synthetic nicotine.

Synthetic nicotine is used by nicotine pouch brands like Zyn and Velo, as discussed earlier, and the market for these types of products is growing rapidly.

I have a Nordic Spirit in my mouth as I’m writing this. I switched to pouches to break my physical addiction to the habit of vaping. It seems to be working too. I haven’t vaped in weeks.

On top of this, the market for nicotine pouches is growing rapidly – both the nicotine kind and the kind of THC-infused pouches.

Wrapping Up…

Synthetic nicotine has reshaped the vaping industry, giving manufacturers a tobacco-free alternative with high purity and consistency.

But make no mistake—nicotine is still nicotine, and regulators are cracking down fast.

With the FDA now treating synthetic nicotine the same as tobacco-derived nicotine, unapproved products are quickly disappearing from the market.

And as more and more vape bans start to appear, the latest one is in California, things are about as bad as they have ever been in the vaping market in the United States.

Will Trump help? Possibly. There does appear to be a change of rhetoric since he took office. But the idea of him reversing bans in states like California is something else entirely.

If you are in California and you have a car, my advice would be this: go to EightVape, bulk order everything you need for the next 3-6 months, and then drive out to its HQ in Nevada and pick it up in person.

They cannot ship it online, but you can make an order and then drive down to pick it up. If you’re in LA, it’s like a 3 hour drive.

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