About NicotineAtlas

What is snus?

Snus is a moist, portioned or loose oral tobacco product originating in Sweden. It is placed under the upper lip. Because it contains tobacco leaf, it is subject to tobacco product directives worldwide.

What are nicotine pouches?

Nicotine pouches (also called white pouches or tobacco-free snus) contain nicotine but no tobacco leaf. Brands include ZYN, VELO, and Lyft. Because they contain no tobacco, they fall under different — often less restrictive — regulatory categories.

What are cigarettes?

Conventional combusted tobacco cigarettes. Covered here because legality varies — most countries permit them with age restrictions, but a small number (e.g. Bhutan) have full bans, and several have introduced generational restrictions on future sales.

What is vaping / e-cigarettes?

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) that heat a liquid to produce vapour. Includes pod systems, disposables, and open-system devices. Regulatory status varies enormously — banned outright in countries such as Thailand, Singapore and India; heavily regulated in the EU and UK; restricted by prescription in Australia until 2024.

Why distinguish them?

Each product sits in a different regulatory category. Many countries that ban snus permit nicotine pouches; many that allow cigarettes ban vaping outright. Conflating any of these leads to incorrect travel advice and potentially serious legal consequences.

Methodology

Data is researched from government websites, official legislation databases, EU law, and credible legal aggregators. Each entry has a confidence level:

• Confirmed — Official government source or legislation found and linked
• Partial — Credible legal aggregator citing primary law; no direct government URL
• Unverified — Third-party sources only; treat with caution

Source hierarchy

1. Government websites
2. Official legislation databases
3. EU law (EUR-Lex)
4. Legal aggregators citing primary law
5. Third-party sources (lowest weight)

Data currency

All entries were last reviewed April 2026. Laws change — always verify with official sources before travelling.