Nicotine pouches market in the Czech Republic – let’s check the report!

The nicotine industry is constantly developing. Nicotine-related products, such as e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches, are gathering more and more enthusiasts. They gain recognition, especially among those who try to quit smoking.

Lately, we have provided you with a brief summary of the Portuguese vape market. Today, we will focus on the Czech Republic and nicotine pouches there. Before we skip forward, let’s just add that this product is gaining its ambassadors even among celebrities. As an example, we can mention Slash from Guns’n’Roses, who started to use it in 2009.

What is a nicotine pouch and how everything began?

The definition of a nicotine pouch

Let’s start with the answer to the question – what are nicotine pouches? “Nicotine pouch“ is a term for a bag of cellulose, diluted in nicotine and flavourings, that is later placed between the upper lip and the gum. When placed, nicotine is absorbed into the body through the mucosa.

The definition of snus

Nicotine pouches also happen to be called snus. There, however, is a difference between both terms. Snus is the name for the primary product, that pouches have derived from. It is also used orally, but the main difference is the nicotine source. In snus, tobacco leaves are present, whereas in pouches it’s the cellulose, that was diluted in nicotine. If you want to learn more, check out one of our previous articles about 8 facts that you need to know about nicotine pouches.

Snus’ ban and how it influences the smoking rates

Let us state, that in 1992 snus was banned in Europe, except Sweden. Nowadays, this country has the lowest smoking rate on the whole continent. On the other end, there is Bulgaria with a smoking rate as high as 39% according to the ECG report.

Nicotine Pouches in the Czech Republic

Nicotine Pouches markets’ net worth

The Czech Republic is 4th in Europe, regarding the nicotine pouches market value, with 1.2% of adults taking advantage of the product. Let us add that the population in this country is between 10 and 11 million people. Its net worth is estimated at around 73.5 million euros. The first in the ranking is Sweden, with almost 286 million euros and 3.4% of adults of around 10.5 million population using the pouches. Then comes Finland, with 4% of adults, of 5.5 million people, using the nicotine pouches worth over 172 million euros, and the 3rd country is Germany. Only 0.2% of adults, of more than 83 million population, use pouches there, but their market is worth almost 108 million euros.

Sales of nicotine pouches and their availability

Nicotine pouches’ sales channels

According to the report, in the Czech Republic most sales, around 75%, happen through offline channels, such as gas stations and tobacco stores. The report checked 39 such stores into account and 85% claimed they offer nicotine pouches and have 10-20 pouch customers on a daily basis. Additionally, among the aforementioned 85% of the stores, 74% sell not only nicotine pouches, but also chewing bags, and 23% sell only pouches.

Nicotine pouches’ strength

The average strength of the nicotine pouch is 15 mg, but most, over 40%, of all the products place in the compartment between 6.1 – 12 mg.

Czechs are also keen on stronger pouches. The strong category, regarding products containing 12.1 – 18 mg of nicotine, covers 18.3% of the market, and extra strong with more than 18 mg covers 23.1%.

Flavour Nico pouch availability in the Czech online stores

45% of shelves of the online stores are occupied by fruity nicotine pouches in 2022. This number grew from 37% in 2021. Next are cooling products with 29% presence, compared to 36% in 2021, and the podium is closed with complex – combined of two or more categories – flavours with 9%, compared to 8% in 2021.

Best-selling and most available nicotine pouches’ brands

When it comes to the best-selling brands in the Czech Republic, similarly to the previous year, the market is dominated by Velo products. It is followed by the 2nd Dope and 3rd Snatch. Although Velo is the best-selling brand, it is not the most available one. According to the survey in the report, it places 4th. The first is Kurwa, the second places Aroma King and the third most available nicotine pouches are Lyft’s products.

If you happen to be visiting the Czech country and want to buy a nicotine pouch, the average price on average is 0.42 Euro (10,27 CZK) per gram.

Nicotine pouches brand pricing in the Czech Republic

As mentioned earlier, the average price per gram of the best-selling nicotine pouches in the Czech Republic is 0.42 Euros per gram. However, the best-selling brands place below the average. The closest to this price is Skruf, the cheapest are Extreme and Killa and the most expensive is XQS.

Nicotine pouches and the legal requirements

Nicotine pouches are regulated by law in the Czech Republic. Before entering the market, nicotine pouches manufacturers shall label and notify their products, and make sure they meet the product requirements. All those are detailed in a ministerial decree. It defines nicotine pouches as “a tobacco-free product containing nicotine for oral use that is not covered by a directly applicable EU regulation”.

Tobacco-free nicotine pouches

Keep in mind that if you want a tobacco-free nicotine pouch, you will find such on the market. Additionally, in the Czech Republic, such pouches are currently free of excise duty. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches won’t bring you the nicotine kick, but they may serve as a replacement for candies or chewing gums.

Starting nicotine pouches production

If you are into nicpouches production, make sure you check our flavourings dedicated especially to them. In our offer, you will also find essential nicotine pouches ingredients, for example, microcrystalline cellulose.

Summary

To sum up, nicotine pouches are, undoubtedly, a much less harmful alternative comparing to cigarettes, which is resembled by their growing popularity, and the Czech market is a friendly place to grow. It is also very often stated, that pouches help quit or reduce smoking.

The data in the above article come from the Tobacco Intelligence report concerning the nicotine pouches market in the Czech Republic. Additionally, based on a different report from ECigIntelligence, we have prepared an article concerning the vape market in Portugal! If you haven’t checked it yet, don’t waver, click here and learn the details!