Smoking traditional cigarettes has been on a steady decline since the 1990s. In recent years, the numbers have fallen even further thanks, in part, to the adoption of alternative nicotine products like vaping and nicotine pouches like ZYNs.

These alternatives both provide a more discreet way to consume nicotine and have less antisocial properties like leaving a bad smell on the user and around them. Here, we look at whether picking up a ZYN pouch is better than vaping for health, convenience, cost, and user experience. 

Is ZYN Better Than Vaping?

ZYNs are not inherently better than vaping as an alternative to traditional smoking. Everybody’s preferences are different when it comes to consuming nicotine. There are positives and negatives associated with both ZYNs and vaping. 

Understanding ZYN vs. Vaping

What is ZYN?

ZYNs are the most popular brand of nicotine pouches. They are available in a variety of flavors and have two nicotine levels: 3mg and 6mg. Each packet contains 15 pouches with nicotine salts and flavorings inside. You don't need to burn ZYN to get nicotine into your bloodstream.

Slip one between your lip and gum, and forget about the antisocial aspects of traditional smoking, like smoke from cigarettes, vapor plumes from vapes, and spit from the dip. ZYNs are marketed as both a discreet and smokeless alternative to conventional smoking. 

What Is Vaping?

Vapes, or e-cigarettes, offer an affordable, healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes that are more discreet and less antisocial. They come in various flavors to suit different users' tastes—most vapes consist of a battery and coil and a chamber with e-liquid available in a variety of flavors.

Many people prefer vapes to other smoking alternatives because you still get to puff on something and feel a hit. Vape companies focus on a variety of flavors and vapor production in marketing. 

Is ZYN Better Than Vaping For Health?

Health risks of vaping

As vaping involves taking vapor into your lungs, there are health risks associated with it. Nicotine addiction may increase with vapes because of how convenient they are and the fact that you can use them indoors without leaving a smell, which can lead to people hitting a vape a lot more than smoking.

Prolonged use can lead to lung irritation, a dry throat, and more. However, the long-term effects vapes have on the body are still being researched, and it is not yet known how users may be impacted later in life.

E-liquid contains propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin that act as carriers and help generate vapor and flavorings. These ingredients can harm the body, including by decreasing glucose uptake. 

Health risks of ZYN

ZYNs are still a relatively new phenomenon. Due to this, there aren’t many studies on the long-term effects of nicotine pouches on a user’s heart.

While ZYNs do not produce harmful smoke and tar, many studies look at the damage that nicotine as an ingredient can cause to the heart in users of all ages, including increasing heart rate and blood pressure, constricting blood vessels, and building plaque.

ZYN users report an increase in nicotine consumption because of how discreet nicotine pouches are. 

Comparison of health risks

There is not enough evidence at this point to say whether nicotine pouches are less harmful than vaping. For example, the long-term effect of nicotine pouches on oral health must be studied further.

The main difference between the products is that vapor is inhaled into the lungs, which may mean ZYNs are less damaging to the lungs than vaping, but more research is needed. 

Convenience and Ease of Use of Vaping vs. ZYN

ZYN

ZYNs are discreet and convenient. There’s no need to charge a ZYN pouch or refill the pouches inside; you simply have to buy another packet. The benefit of nicotine pouches is that they can be easily transported and used anywhere (they make a good alternative on airplanes and public transport). 

Vaping

While ZYNs are one-size-fits-all, vapes can be customized to suit your needs. Not only are they available in more flavors, but the amount of nicotine in the e-liquid can also be adapted to suit your needs.

They can be less disposable if you buy one that can be refilled and recharged, but they are less discreet. While vapes won’t leave a lingering smell on your person, you need to produce a plume of vapor when you’re using one. 

Comparison of convenience

ZYNs may be considered more convenient because they require less upkeep; simply pop one in your mouth, and the nicotine hits your bloodstream. 

Cost Considerations of Vaping vs. ZYN

Cost of ZYN

Many ZYN users report an increase in nicotine consumption with pouches. While traditional cigarettes will cost you around $8 per pack, and you can pick up some nicotine pouches for as little as $3.49, the price per pouch for ZYNs sits in between these two prices at around $5. However, if you’re consuming a lot of ZYNs, this can add up pretty quickly. 

Cost of Vaping

While your initial investment in a reusable vape can be anywhere from $25-100, you’ll find e-liquid is a more affordable ongoing investment at as little as $5 for refills. Vapes are likely to last a lot longer than a packet of ZYNs. 

Comparison of cost

If you buy a reusable vape instead of a disposable one, vapes can work out as the more economical choice for regular users because the e-liquid is cheaper and can last longer than a ZYN pouch. 

Flavor Variety and User Experience of Vaping vs. ZYN

ZYN Flavor Options

ZYNs are available in 15 different flavors, ranging from mint options like Cool Mint, Peppermint, and Spearmint to fruity flavors like Citrus, Lemon Spritz, and Tropical. 

Vaping Flavor Options

Vaping offers a much bigger library of flavors than ZYNs, depending on the brand. These include fruit, dessert, menthol, and even bacon, pizza, and cereal milk flavors. Vapes give users a bigger array of choices, which means they can find the perfect flavor rather than settling for one. 

Comparison of flavor experience

If you’re into flavors above all else, vapes are the best choice. ZYNs can be a lot more subtle and will lose their flavor the longer you keep them in your mouth, whereas vapes with the right amount of e-liquid should give you a punch of flavor for every hit. 

Social and Legal Considerations

Social acceptability of ZYN

ZYNs are more discreet than vapes, as they don’t produce vapor or smoke. Despite being a different product, some people unfamiliar with ZYNs or nicotine pouches may put them in the same bracket as a dip, which has some negative connotations surrounding its use. 

Social acceptability of Vaping

Vaping is more widely known than nicotine pouches. Public opinion varies as to whether it is socially acceptable to vote in public, especially if you don’t vape and walk through a cloud of vapor in the street.

The bad press around “popcorn lung” caused by diacetyl found in some sweet-flavored vapes has also caused public opinion to change. Additionally, the public use of vaping has been cracked down upon in a similar way to smoking, with many public spaces now banning their use. 

Comparison of social impact

If you dispose of ZYNs properly in a trash can after use or in the lid of the pouch, there is little social effect on those around you unless you are one of the ZYN users who spits during use. Vapes, on the other hand, produce vapor in public spaces, which can be considered antisocial. 

Conclusion

ZYNs are a discreet alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes that don’t produce smoke or vapor. Meanwhile, vapes do produce vapor, which is less antisocial than smoke but considered by many to be a negative in public spaces.

While ZYNs do not produce harmful smoke and tar, the nicotine found in them can cause health problems that range from increased heart rate to cardiovascular issues. Vapes contain nicotine but may also damage the lungs, mainly if e-liquid contains diacetyl.

If you’re a health-conscious person or a casual user, you may prefer ZYN. Or, if you’re somebody who loves flavor and wants to save money in the long run, vapes may be a better choice. As both products are new, long-term research is still needed to understand their effects fully.