Nicotine Pouch Statistics 2026: Usage Trends and Market Data

Nicotine pouch sales in the United States have grown dramatically since 2019. ZYN alone sold over 350 million cans in the US in 2024, up from roughly 100 million in 2021. The total US nicotine pouch market is estimated at over $3 billion in annual retail sales as of early 2026. This growth outpaces every other nicotine product category including vaping, traditional smokeless tobacco, and cigarettes — all of which are flat or declining.

Usage skews younger and male. Surveys indicate that 18-34 year olds make up the largest user demographic, with men outnumbering women roughly 3 to 1. A significant portion of pouch users are former smokers or vapers who switched, but a growing segment — particularly among younger adults — started with pouches as their first nicotine product. This is concerning because it represents new nicotine addiction rather than harm reduction from cigarettes.

Self-reported usage data from tracking apps and surveys suggests the average daily user consumes 8-12 pouches per day. Heavy users report 15-25+ pouches daily. At 6mg per pouch, a 15-pouch-per-day habit means 90mg of nicotine placed daily, with roughly 45-54mg absorbed. This is comparable to or exceeds the nicotine intake of a pack-a-day cigarette smoker.

As the user base grows, so does the population of people wanting to quit. Google search data shows significant year-over-year increases in queries like 'how to quit ZYN,' 'nicotine pouch withdrawal,' and 'quit nicotine pouches.' This mirrors patterns seen with vaping — a product marketed as an alternative to smoking that creates its own large population of nicotine-dependent users seeking cessation support.

If you're trying to quit nicotine pouches, you're not alone. Millions of people are in the same position. The growing demand for quit resources has led to better tools, more community support, and more research into effective cessation strategies for oral nicotine products specifically. The best time to quit is before your dependence deepens further.