What Are Nicotine Pouches? A UK Guide for Adult Users

For adult users (18+) only. Nicotine is an addictive substance. This article is intended for existing adult consumers and is not a recommendation to begin using nicotine products. CLEW pouches are not suitable for non-smokers, those under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or anyone with a medical condition affected by nicotine. Do not chew or swallow the pouch.

Nicotine pouches are small, tobacco-free pouches placed under the upper lip. They contain no tobacco leaf, produce no smoke or vapour, and are fully legal to buy and use in the UK. CLEW Nicotine pouches come in eight flavours and four strengths from 5mg to 20mg.

They've moved from niche to familiar over the past few years — small, slim, discreet enough that most people around you won't notice one in use. This guide covers what they are, what they contain, how they work, which strength suits which user, and what to expect from a first session.

Key takeaways

•         CLEW pouches are 100% tobacco-free — no tobacco leaf of any kind

•         Fully legal to buy and use in the UK for adults (18+)

•         Placed under the upper lip; nicotine releases through the gum for up to 45 minutes

•         Available in eight flavours and four strengths: 5mg, 10mg, 15mg and 20mg

•         No smoke, no vapour, no smell

•         First-time users should always start at 5mg

What is a nicotine pouch?

A nicotine pouch is a small, slim pouch — roughly the size of a piece of chewing gum — that sits between the upper lip and the gum. It contains nicotine, plant-based fibres, flavourings and pH-balancing agents. It does not contain tobacco leaf.

Once in place, the pouch releases nicotine slowly through the gum tissue and into the bloodstream. The process takes a few minutes to begin, and a single pouch typically lasts up to 45 minutes.

There's nothing to inhale, nothing to chew, and nothing to spit. When the session is done, remove the pouch and dispose of it in the catch lid on top of the can, or in a bin.

What's inside a CLEW pouch?

CLEW nicotine pouches contain:

•         Nicotine — in a controlled, measured amount per pouch

•         Plant-based fibres — the base material that holds the pouch together

•         Flavourings — natural and artificial compounds that give each flavour its character

•         pH-balancing agents — these regulate the rate of nicotine release

•         Sweeteners — present in some flavours to round out the taste

What CLEW pouches do not contain: tobacco leaf, tobacco stem, tobacco dust, or any other form of tobacco material.

How do they work?

Nicotine absorbs through the mucous membrane of the gum. When you place a pouch under the lip, saliva activates it and the nicotine begins to release. It passes through the gum tissue and enters the bloodstream directly.

Most users feel a mild tingling sensation within the first one to two minutes. That's the nicotine beginning to release; it's normal, expected, and settles after a few minutes into a steadier background feeling for the rest of the session.

CLEW pouches deliver flavour and nicotine steadily through the session rather than in a peak-and-drop pattern. A standard session lasts up to 45 minutes.

Are nicotine pouches legal in the UK?

Yes. Nicotine pouches are fully legal to buy and use in the UK. They aren't classified as a tobacco product under UK law because they contain no tobacco leaf. Under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, nicotine pouches are formally regulated, with mandatory 18+ age verification required at the point of sale.

The CLEW flavour range

CLEW nicotine pouches come in eight flavours across two families:

Mint & menthol

•         Cool Mint — bright, clean, the everyday all-rounder

•         Spearmint — soft and slightly sweet, the mildest in the mint range

•         Wintergreen — a balanced coolness with a slightly herbal note

•         Menthol — smooth and rounded, a classic menthol character

Fruit & other

•         Blueberry — mild, rounded, gently sweet

•         Watermelon — fresh, light, clean fruit profile

•         Coffee — rich and roasted, a stronger flavour with depth

•         Citrus — sharp and bright, at home at any time of day

Every flavour is available in all four strengths.

The CLEW strength range

CLEW comes in four strengths. The right one depends less on rules and more on how your body responds to the pouch.

Always start at 5mg if pouches are new to you, regardless of prior nicotine experience. Absorption through the gum feels different from inhaled formats, and a strength that looks unremarkable on the label can land harder than expected. Starting low lets your body adjust before you decide whether to move up.

How to use a nicotine pouch

•         Open the can — break the seal on first use, then twist to open

•         Place the pouch between your upper lip and gum

•         Let it rest — no chewing, no sucking

•         Leave it in for up to 45 minutes — first-timers should start with shorter sessions

•         Remove and dispose in the catch lid on the can, or in a bin — never swallow, never flush

Who are they for?

CLEW nicotine pouches are for adults aged 18 and over who already use nicotine products. They aren't suitable for non-users, those under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or anyone with a medical condition that might be affected by nicotine.

Nicotine is highly addictive. CLEW Pouches UK products are intended for adult users (18+) only. They are not suitable for non-smokers, those under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or anyone with a medical condition that could be affected by nicotine. Do not chew or swallow the pouch. If in doubt, please consult a healthcare professional.