Frequently Asked Questions
What products does NicotineAtlas cover?
NicotineAtlas covers five product categories: snus (oral tobacco), nicotine pouches (tobacco-free), conventional cigarettes, vaping/e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco (heat-not-burn products such as IQOS). Each is regulated differently by country, which is why they are tracked separately.
What is the difference between snus and nicotine pouches?
Snus contains tobacco leaf; nicotine pouches are tobacco-free. This distinction matters because many countries that ban snus explicitly permit nicotine pouches (e.g. the UK and most EU member states).
Which nicotine pouch brands does this cover?
The legal status shown applies to nicotine pouches as a product category, so it covers every brand, including ZYN, VELO, Lyft, On!, Rogue, White Fox, Nordic Spirit, Skruf, Killa, Pablo, Loop and ALP. A country that permits or bans nicotine pouches treats all of these the same way, regardless of brand or flavour. Note that Lyft rebranded most of its range to VELO in 2022.
What is heated tobacco, and is it the same as vaping?
No. Heated tobacco (heat-not-burn) products such as IQOS, glo, Ploom, lil, Pulze and Mok warm real tobacco rather than burning it, so they still contain tobacco. The tobacco sticks themselves (e.g. HEETS and TEREA for IQOS) are also heated tobacco. Vapes, by contrast, heat a tobacco-free liquid. Because heated tobacco contains tobacco, many countries regulate it separately: it is permitted across much of the EU and in Japan, but banned in places such as Australia and Singapore.
Can I bring these products on a plane?
Snus and nicotine pouches are generally permitted in carry-on luggage as they are not flammable. Vaping devices and heated tobacco devices (such as IQOS) must go in carry-on (not checked luggage) due to lithium battery rules; e-liquids follow standard liquid limits. The critical question is always whether the product is legal at your destination, so check the country page before flying.
What happens if I bring a banned product into a country?
Consequences vary by country and product. In some countries (e.g. Singapore, Thailand) possession of banned products including snus or vapes is a criminal offence with fines and potential imprisonment. In others the product may simply be confiscated. Never assume a ban is unenforced.
Why is snus banned in the EU but legal in Sweden and Norway?
EU Directive 2014/40/EU bans snus across the EU, but Sweden negotiated an exemption when it joined the EU in 1995 (Act of Accession, Art. 151). Norway is not an EU member (it is EEA), so the ban does not apply there.
Are nicotine pouches safer than snus?
This is a public health question outside the scope of NicotineAtlas. This site focuses solely on legal status. Consult public health authorities or medical literature for health comparisons.
What does "Restricted" mean?
"Restricted" means commercial sale is prohibited or heavily regulated, but personal import and/or use is permitted or tolerated. Always check the specific country notes for the detail.
What does "Unclear" mean?
"Unclear" means no specific law addressing the product was found, or the regulatory situation is genuinely ambiguous. This does not mean it is legal; it means we could not find a definitive answer. Treat with extra caution.
How often is the data updated?
All entries were last reviewed April 2026. We aim to review annually or when significant legal changes are reported.
I found an error. How do I report it?
The site is open for feedback. If you have found an official source that contradicts the information shown, please note the source URL and the country so it can be reviewed.