The popularity of Snus and nicotine pouches is steadily increasing. More and more, these products are gaining traction in the workplace—not just among employees, but now also with employers. Recently, US media even reported a new trend in tech companies: providing free Nicotine Pouches to employees during working hours. The reasoning? Nicotine Pouches could help boost concentration at work and eliminate the need for cigarette breaks. Is this a trend that employers should seriously consider?
Free Nicotine Pouches for employees
Some tech start-ups in the US have recently started offering tobacco-free Nicotine Pouches to their employees—completely free of charge. The tobacco-free Snus option is available at no cost in vending machines, just like those for drinks or sandwiches, or in small fridges set up specifically for this purpose. The idea behind this is to noticeably increase employee performance and productivity, as using these products is said to enhance focus and concentration at work.
Can Snus really boost concentration and make you more productive?
The idea that using Snus might actually boost concentration is supported by the effects of nicotine itself. Nicotine—in moderate amounts—has been shown to temporarily enhance cognitive performance. This mainly leads to increased attention, sharper focus, and improved working memory. For example, the article “Cognitive Effects of Nicotine: Recent Progress” in the journal Current Neuropharmacology (2018) states:
“Preclinical models and human studies have demonstrated that nicotine has cognitive-enhancing effects, including improvement of fine motor functions, attention, working memory, and episodic memory.”*
If using Snus helps you concentrate and stay focused, your employer will be happy to see you working more productively. It’s no wonder, then, that it can make sense for employers to offer free Nicotine Pouches to their teams.
>> Read more on this topic: Snus effect – how does the trend from Sweden work?
* https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6018192/
Snus instead of smoke breaks
Are smoke breaks a productivity killer or a productivity booster? Employers don’t always agree on this. Some believe that short breaks can actually boost productivity if they lead to constructive conversations or help clear your mind for new tasks. Others, however, feel that regular interruptions disrupt focus and inevitably lead to lower productivity.
There’s also the ongoing debate about “paid breaks,” which can create a sense of unfairness between smokers and non-smokers—especially since smokers tend to take more of these “paid breaks.”
Consuming Snus and nicotine pouches can be done right at your workplace and without taking a break from work. Offering nicotine pouches for free during working hours could therefore be justified by the elimination of smoke breaks.
Does a free Snus offer help smokers who want to quit switch or give up smoking altogether?
The fact that Nicotine Pouches don't put strain on your lungs like tobacco cigarettes—and are considered less harmful overall as part of a Tobacco Harm Reduction approach—is already a major incentive for many smokers to make the switch. Free nicotine pouches in the office can further support this transition—after all, with current cigarette prices, smoking is expensive not only for your health, but also for your wallet.
>> You might also like: Tobacco addiction in Germany: One in twelve working people affected
What are the benefits of free Snus in the office (for employers)?
The new trend of offering employees free Nicotine Pouches at the office seems more than justified if you consider the following key points:
- Snus and Nicotine Pouches help boost focus and productivity while working.
- If you use Snus, you can do so right at your desk—no need to take a smoke break. This helps avoid possible inequalities between smokers and non-smokers.
- Offering free Snus in the office can support employees who want to quit smoking, and can provide an extra incentive to leave cigarettes behind.
Another benefit, especially relevant for office environments, is that using snus doesn't leave the lingering smell of cigarettes that many non-smokers find unpleasant.
Snus in the office and public health
From a public health perspective, Snus and tobacco-free Nicotine Pouches are clearly an opportunity: they have been proven to reduce lung cancer rates in a short period of time, because quitting smoking is easier with them. Looking at Sweden shows that not only does this work in theory, but it also works in practice. At a recent conference at Charité in Berlin, the topic Snus and Public Health was even discussed by experts—with the result: nicotine alternatives like Snus and Nicotine Pouches are seen as key to reducing the risks of consumption.
>> You might also be interested in: Whether it’s ice hockey or football – why are Snus so popular among athletes?
