New Smoke-Free Nicotine Products: Overview 2026

Besides the classic cigarette, there is now a whole range of products that deliver nicotine without combustion. They are known as “novel nicotine delivery systems”. The nicotine is absorbed through the oral mucosa or by inhalation. In this overview, you’ll learn which product types exist, how they differ and which rules apply in Switzerland (as of October 2026).

First things first: nicotine is addictive. Smoke-free products are not risk-free either, and long-term data is missing for many newer products. If you don’t smoke, don’t start.

Which nicotine products without combustion are there?

Nicotine pouches

Nicotine pouches are small, tobacco-free pouches placed between the gum and upper lip. The nicotine is absorbed through the oral mucosa. The pouches contain nicotine, fillers and flavourings, but no tobacco leaf. Well-known brands are VELO and ZYN. How the two differ is explained in the article ZYN vs. VELO.

Snus

Snus is tobacco for oral use, also portioned in pouches. Snus has been legal in Switzerland since 2019. Snus and nicotine pouches are subject to a tobacco tax of 10% of the retail price. You’ll find an overview in our Snus collection.

E-cigarettes: disposable vapes and pod systems

E-cigarettes heat a liquid and produce an aerosol that is inhaled. There are two forms of nicotine: nicotine salt feels less harsh even at higher strengths and is mainly found in compact pod systems and disposables. Freebase nicotine is used more in powerful devices with lower nicotine strength. Devices like the Elf Bar ELFA Pro are rechargeable pod systems, not disposable vapes.

Heated tobacco

Heated tobacco products (heat-not-burn) heat real tobacco without burning it. The resulting aerosol contains nicotine. In Switzerland, heated tobacco products also fall under the Tobacco Products Act.

Nasal snuff

Snuff is not a new product, but it is also one of the smoke-free tobacco products. It is sniffed into the nose. You’ll find classics in our Snuff collection, for example from Pöschl.

Other formats

New formats keep appearing, such as nicotine toothpicks. For many of these novelties, there is hardly any independent data.

Product type	Absorption	Contains tobacco	Combustion
Nicotine pouch	oral mucosa	No	No
Snus	oral mucosa	Yes	No
E-cigarette	inhalation	No	No
Heated tobacco	inhalation	Yes	No
Nasal snuff	nasal mucosa	Yes	No
Cigarette	inhalation	Yes	Yes

How quickly does nicotine act depending on the product?

The speed of absorption is one of the biggest differences between product types. Inhaled nicotine enters the bloodstream within seconds. With nicotine pouches and snus, absorption through the oral mucosa takes longer: the effect kicks in after a few minutes and usually lasts longer.

Route of absorption	Onset of effect
Inhalation (e-cigarette, heated tobacco)	seconds
Oral mucosa (pouches, snus)	a few minutes

Nicotine itself is broken down relatively quickly by the body, while its metabolite cotinine remains detectable for much longer. That is why nicotine tests usually test for cotinine.

How strong a product is depends mainly on its nicotine content. For pouches, it is stated in milligrams per pouch, for liquids in milligrams per millilitre. What these figures mean is explained in the article Snus dosage and strength in mg.

What is the legal situation in Switzerland?

Age: The Tobacco Products Act (TobPA) has been in force since 1 October 2024. Tobacco products, nicotine products (including nicotine pouches), e-cigarettes with and without nicotine and heated tobacco products may only be supplied to people aged 18 and over. Age checks also apply to online sales.
Taxes: Since 1 October 2024, a tax on e-cigarettes has applied: CHF 1.00 per ml for disposable e-cigarettes (including nicotine-free ones) and CHF 0.20 per ml for nicotine-containing liquids and refills, plus 8.1% VAT. Details in the article Vape tax in Switzerland.
Disposable vapes: Not banned nationally, but Parliament has called for a ban. The cantons of Valais and Geneva have their own bans. Disposables may contain no more than 2 ml of liquid (Federal Supreme Court, 14 April 2026). More in the article Disposable vape ban: cantons at a glance.
Advertising: Stricter advertising bans are expected to come into force in the first half of 2027.

And abroad?

The rules in Europe vary greatly. Snus is banned in the EU except in Sweden. In Germany, nicotine pouches are not considered marketable and their sale is not permitted. In France, nicotine pouches have been banned since 1 April 2026, including possession and import. In Austria, they may only be sold in tobacconists (Trafiken) since 1 April 2026, and online sales are prohibited. If you travel, check the rules in your destination country in advance. You’ll find tips in the article Travelling with snus.

What to look out for as an adult consumer

Know the strength: Check the nicotine content per pouch or per millilitre and don’t automatically choose the strongest option.
Choose the right product: Pod systems with nicotine salt are compact and simple. More powerful devices work with more vapour and lower nicotine strength.
Keep an eye on your consumption: Smoke-free products can be used discreetly and anywhere. This can lead to consuming more than planned.
Buy legally and with age verification: Buy from retailers with transparent product labelling who check the minimum age.
Store safely: Nicotine products must be kept out of the reach of children and pets. In case of poisoning, Tox Info Suisse can help on 145; in an emergency, call 144.

Our take

The debate about new nicotine products is rarely factual. What is certain: nicotine pouches, snus and e-cigarettes do without combustion, but they contain nicotine, and nicotine is addictive. New products often reach the market faster than long-term data becomes available. That makes clear information, consistent age checks and retailers who label their products transparently all the more important.

FAQ

What are new nicotine delivery systems?

These are products that deliver nicotine without combustion, for example through the oral mucosa or by inhalation. They include nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and newer formats.