Updated October 2026
No, VELO is not snus, and VELO pouches contain no tobacco leaf. Snus is made from ground tobacco and is illegal to sell in the UK, whereas VELO is a tobacco-free nicotine pouch filled with plant-based fibres, nicotine and flavourings.
People often mix the two up because they look and are used in a similar way. Here is what actually separates them.
At a glance
- VELO is not snus: it contains no tobacco leaf.
- Snus is ground tobacco and is banned from sale in the UK.
- VELO still contains addictive nicotine.
- We stock VELO from 8mg to 17mg.
Does VELO contain tobacco?
VELO pouches contain no tobacco leaf, tobacco dust or stems. That is why they are white rather than brown and do not taste of tobacco.
The nicotine inside is usually extracted from the tobacco plant and purified before it is added. So "tobacco-free" means there is no tobacco leaf in the pouch, not that the nicotine came from somewhere else. For the full ingredient list, read what VELO pouches are made of.
What is snus?
Snus is a moist, ground tobacco product that originated in Sweden. Like a pouch, it sits under the top lip. The difference is what is inside: snus is tobacco, so it is usually brown and tastes of tobacco.
Selling snus (tobacco for oral use) is banned in the UK. Products sold here as "snus" are therefore usually tobacco-free nicotine pouches being called by the wrong name.
VELO vs snus at a glance
| VELO nicotine pouches | Traditional snus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contains tobacco leaf? | No | Yes, ground tobacco |
| Colour | White | Usually brown |
| Contains nicotine? | Yes | Yes |
| Taste | Flavours such as mint, berry or mango | Tobacco, sometimes with added flavour |
| Stains teeth? | No tobacco colouring | Can stain |
| Legal to sell in the UK? | Yes | No |
Is VELO tobacco-free?
Yes. VELO is sold as a tobacco-free nicotine pouch. It still contains nicotine, though, so "tobacco-free" does not mean "nicotine-free" or "harmless". Every VELO can shows its nicotine strength and a health warning.
Is VELO a drug?
VELO contains nicotine, which is an addictive substance. VELO itself is a legal consumer product for adults, not a medicine. It is not a licensed stop-smoking treatment, so it is not the same as NHS-approved nicotine patches, gum or lozenges.
Is VELO the same as naswar?
No. Naswar is a traditional smokeless product made with tobacco. VELO contains no tobacco leaf.
Which VELO strengths do we stock?
| Strength | VELO flavours we stock |
|---|---|
| 8mg | Bright Spearmint |
| 10mg | Crispy Peppermint |
| 14mg and 17mg | Freezing Peppermint, Icy Berries, Mango Flame, Orange Spark, Purple Grape, Ruby Berry, Wintery Watermelon |
Not sure which strength to choose? Our nicotine pouch strength guide will help, and you can see the full range in our VELO collection. If you want to know more about the brand, read What is VELO and how does it work?
VELO pouches we stock
VELO Bright Spearmint8mg
VELO Crispy Peppermint10mg
VELO Freezing Peppermint14mg or 17mg
VELO Purple Grape14mg or 17mg
Safety: what "tobacco-free" does and doesn't mean
Because there is no tobacco leaf and nothing is burned, you do not inhale smoke. But VELO pouches still contain nicotine:
- Nicotine is addictive and can raise your heart rate.
- Nicotine pouches are for adults aged 18 and over who already use nicotine. We only sell to adults.
- They are not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- If you have a heart condition or another health concern, speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
If you would like to stop using nicotine, the NHS offers free stop-smoking support at NHS Better Health: Quit smoking, or ask your local pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
Is VELO snus?
No. Snus contains ground tobacco. VELO is a tobacco-free nicotine pouch. People sometimes call all pouches "snus", but that is not accurate.
Do VELO pouches have tobacco in them?
No. There is no tobacco leaf in a VELO pouch. The nicotine is usually extracted from the tobacco plant and purified.
Why are VELO pouches white?
Because they are filled with white plant-based fibres instead of brown tobacco.
Is it legal to buy VELO in the UK?
Yes. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches such as VELO are legal to sell in the UK. Snus, which contains tobacco, is not. Pouch Lab sells only to adults aged 18 and over.
Is VELO safer than snus?
We can't make health claims about individual products. VELO contains no tobacco leaf, but it does contain addictive nicotine. Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you have any health questions.