Is VELO More Harmful Than Cigarettes?

With more people seeking alternatives to smoking, nicotine pouches have rapidly gained traction as a smoke-free and discreet method of consuming nicotine. These innovative pouches offer a convenient way to satisfy nicotine cravings without the multitude of harmful byproducts generated by burning tobacco.

As the popularity of nicotine pouches has expanded, so too has the variety of brands entering the market. However, since their introduction, VELO has consistently stood out as one of the most prominent and widely recognised options available to UK consumers, and for good reason.

In this article, we’ll assess the potential health risks associated with nicotine pouches, specifically in comparison to the well-established dangers of traditional cigarettes. By examining the fundamental differences in how these products deliver nicotine, we aim to shed light on whether VELO, and nicotine pouches in general, present a less harmful alternative for those looking to move away from smoking.

What Is VELO and How Does It Work?

Since its inception, VELO has established itself as a leading nicotine pouch brand, offering a tobacco-free alternative for nicotine consumption. While the brand is owned by British American Tobacco (BAT), VELO nicotine pouches are produced in Sweden. This production takes place in state-of-the-art facilities, underscoring a commitment to quality and precision in their manufacturing process. Testament to its success, VELO has emerged as the most popular brand within the nicotine pouch market segment across Europe.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, VELO pouches provide a smoke-free experience. These small pouches are designed to be placed discreetly under the upper lip, where the nicotine is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the gum. This method of delivery bypasses the need for smoke, combustion, or vapour. Instead, each pouch contains pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, flavouring agents, and plant-based fibres that facilitate the release and absorption of nicotine.

How Harmful Are Cigarettes?

Given your interest in VELO as a potential alternative, we understand that you are likely already aware of the significant health risks associated with traditional cigarette smoking. However, to truly appreciate the potential difference in harm, it's important to reiterate the dangers of cigarettes and the scale of their impact. Cigarettes are widely recognised as one of the most harmful consumer products available, and smoking stands as the leading cause of preventable death globally, contributing to a multitude of serious health conditions, including:

• Lung cancer
• Heart disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Stroke
• Various forms of cancer (mouth, throat, bladder, etc.)

The fundamental problem with cigarettes stems from the combustion of tobacco. This burning process releases over 7,000 different chemicals, a significant number of which are toxic and carcinogenic. These harmful substances are responsible for the direct damage to the smoker's body, as well as the well-documented dangers of second-hand smoke exposure to others.

In the UK alone, statistics indicate that smoking causes approximately 76,000 deaths annually. The overwhelming scientific consensus leaves no room for doubt: cigarettes are exceptionally harmful and pose a severe threat to public health.

How Safe Are Nicotine Pouches Like VELO?

While nicotine pouches like VELO are relatively new to the UK market, initial scientific understanding and the principles of harm reduction suggest they pose significantly lower risks compared to smoking. This reduced harm is primarily attributed to the fundamental differences in how nicotine is delivered:

• No combustion: VELO pouches don’t involve burning of any material, which means users avoid the harmful by-products found in cigarette smoke.
• Tobacco-free: VELO doesn’t contain tobacco leaf or dust, eliminating exposure to the multitude of harmful compounds naturally present in tobacco and those generated during its processing and combustion. Instead, they contain pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, food-grade flavourings, and plant-based fibres.
• No inhalation: Unlike smoking, which delivers harmful substances directly to the lungs, VELO pouches are used orally. Nicotine is absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth, significantly reducing the direct impact on the respiratory system and the associated risks of lung diseases.

That said, it's important to acknowledge that nicotine pouches are not entirely risk-free. Nicotine itself is a highly addictive substance and can have physiological effects, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure with prolonged use. Users may also experience temporary side effects such as gum irritation, dry mouth, hiccups, or a tingling sensation, particularly when using pouches for the first time. Additionally, excessive or improper use, such as frequent use of very high-strength pouches, could potentially lead to nausea, dizziness, or other nicotine-related effects.

Because VELO and other nicotine pouches are relatively new, long-term data on their exclusive use is still emerging. While the absence of tobacco and combustion removes two of the biggest health risks associated with traditional smoking, potential long-term oral health effects, such as gum irritation or recession, are still being studied. However, most public health experts agree that nicotine alone, while addictive, is not the primary cause of smoking-related disease, it's the method of delivery (smoking) that inflicts the majority of the damage.

Ongoing research is crucial to fully understand the long-term health implications of exclusive nicotine pouch use, but by avoiding the harmful products of tobacco combustion and inhalation, nicotine pouches like VELO represent a step towards harm reduction for adult smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit nicotine entirely.

The Role of VELO in Harm Reduction

The concept of harm reduction has long been a cornerstone of public health strategy, advocating for pragmatic approaches to minimise the negative health consequences associated with risky behaviors, such as smoking. A key element of this strategy involves encouraging individuals who are unable or unwilling to quit entirely to switch from more harmful products, like combustible cigarettes, to demonstrably less harmful alternatives.

Nicotine pouches, including brands like VELO, fit squarely within this harm reduction framework. The evidence, as discussed in the previous section, suggests that by eliminating combustion and tobacco, these products significantly reduce exposure to the primary toxicants responsible for smoking-related diseases.

This potential for harm reduction has garnered support from key public health organisations in the UK. Bodies such as Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) have publicly acknowledged the role of smoke-free nicotine products as a tool to reduce smoking-related harm in adult smokers.

The evolving regulatory landscape in the UK also reflects this understanding. While initially navigating a less defined space outside traditional tobacco legislation, nicotine pouches are now subject to increasing scrutiny. The introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in 2024 signifies a move towards a more structured regulatory framework, including age restrictions and controls on marketing and product standards. This legislative development indicates a growing acceptance of the need to manage and potentially leverage less harmful nicotine alternatives.

A compelling real-world example of the success of harm reduction through oral nicotine products can be found in Sweden. The widespread and long-term use of snus, a traditional tobacco-based oral pouch, has been strongly correlated with one of the lowest smoking rates and the lowest burden of smoking-related diseases in Europe. While VELO differs from snus by being entirely tobacco-free, it operates on a similar principle of delivering nicotine without many of the deadly consequences of smoke inhalation.

Considering cases like these, we can see that VELO offers a potentially valuable alternative for adult smokers seeking to reduce the harm associated with their nicotine use or as a step towards complete cessation. These products are increasingly being adopted by individuals who wish to avoid the well-known health risks of smoking, as well as the associated smoke, smell, and social stigma, while still managing their nicotine dependence. By providing a more acceptable and less harmful option, VELO and other nicotine pouches can play a role in decreasing the overall public health burden caused by smoking.

VELO vs Cigarettes: A Direct Comparison

To further illustrate the distinctions between VELO pouches and traditional cigarettes, the following table provides a direct comparison across several key factors related to health risks:

Final Thoughts

So, is VELO more harmful than cigarettes? Based on current evidence, the answer is no.

Cigarette smoking is a proven cause of serious illness and death, primarily due to the inhalation of toxic smoke. VELO, on the other hand, contains no tobacco, involves no burning, and delivers nicotine in a smoke-free, oral format. In fact, it is precisely because VELO and other nicotine pouches avoid these harmful processes that they are being put forward as a viable harm reduction tool for adult smokers. While they are not entirely risk-free and should only be used by adults who already use nicotine, they represent a far less harmful alternative for those looking to move away from smoking.

If you're considering making a switch from cigarettes, at FREESMO, we offer a simple way to find the right product for you: Answer a quick questionnaire for personalised recommendations and enjoy a risk-free 14-day trial.

But if you're already convinced by pouches and are looking to explore them for yourself, be sure to browse our range of VELO nicotine pouches in strengths and flavours designed to suit your lifestyle.