The Latest in OTP Rollouts

Sep 10, 2023

CHICAGO — Led by nicotine pouch innovation, smokeless tobacco products are growing mightily in convenience, where pouch dollar sales jumped 470% in the first half of 2020, according to Nielsen data for a 6-month period ending July 2020.

Of course, the nicotine pouch segment is still relatively new, having entered the market only the last couple of years.

Total other tobacco product (OTP) unit sales were up 7% in convenience stores for a 24-week period ending May 30. Moist snuff declined 5.9%, according to Nielsen.

Leading the pouch segment is Richmond, Va.-based Swedish Match's Zyn, the first nicotine pouch brand sold in the United States. It accounts for 76% of total nicotine pouch can volume after having been introduced in test markets in Denver and the West Coast in 2016.

Meanwhile, Swisher in October announced a consolidation of its broad smokeless tobacco portfolio under Fat Lip Brands. With a mix of classic brands and modern-day favorites in moist snuff, chewing tobacco and dry snuff, Fat Lip Brands represents an ongoing evolution within Jacksonville, Fla.-based Swisher to align its businesses and brands to better serve its wholesale and retail customers as well as its adult consumers, the company said.

Read on for a snapshot of eight more recent tobacco-product launches landing in the convenience channel.

Using patented non-tobacco nicotine manufactured by San Diego-based Next Generation Labs, 2One is the first 100% non-tobacco-derived nicotine pouch on the market, according to manufacturer 2One Labs Inc., Lake Tahoe, Nev.

The product is available to adult consumers wanting to switch completely from nicotine pouches traditionally sourced from tobacco plants. 2One comes in nine adult-oriented flavors that include Very Berry, Eucalyptus Rush, Glacier Mint, Chocolate Dream, Ginger Mint, Strawberry Lemonade, Citrus Chill, Mocha Java and Pineapple Mango, each available in strengths of 3 mg or 6 mg.

Blackburn, U.K.-based Dinner Lady's new Vape Max provides 1,500 puffs of 5% nicotine, the equivalent to five packs of cigarettes in one device. The supplier also offers synthetic nicotine that's legally available outside of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) premarket tobacco applications (PMTA) regulations and can thus be sold in the United States. Five flavors include Lemon Tart, Strawberry Ice, Banana Ice, Mango Ice and Citrus Ice. A 1.5 ml tank offers 400 puffs of 3% nicotine strength, with sealed-in food grade stainless steel and a 300mAh battery.

R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co., Winston-Salem, N.C., expanded its Velo nicotine pouch line with the debut of Velo dissolvable hard- and soft-format nicotine lozenges in four flavors. Velo-branded dissolvable nicotine lozenges are tobacco leaf-free and currently available in limited U.S. markets, as well as online.

In addition, Velo offers adult nicotine consumers disposable nicotine pouches in varying strengths and flavors.

Black Buffalo is a smokeless tobacco alternative that delivers the same experience as traditional products but without any tobacco leaf or stem, the Chicago-based company said. A long-cut variety comes in Mint, Wintergreen, Peach, Blood Orange and Straight flavors, while pouches are available in Mint, Wintergreen and Straight.

For a limited time, Swisher Sweets Green cigarillos from Swisher Sweets Cigar Co. will sport a camouflage look on its pouches that features a distinctive green wrapper designed for the fall season. Swisher Sweets Green camo pouches are available in a variety of market-driven price points and shipped nationwide in October, available only while supplies last.

Zig-Zag this fall released new unbleached rolling papers crafted from a blend of natural fibers that feature a 100% natural gum Arabic glue line to deliver a smooth smoking experience, the company says. Natural, unbleached papers are printed on recycled board using vegetable inks. In addition, Zig-Zag offers unbleached paper cones crafted from a blend of natural fibers to deliver a slow, even burn with zero hassle.

Dryft from Kretek International is an oral nicotine pouch free of tobacco leaf that provides adult nicotine users a smoke-free, vapor-free and spit-free alternative. It comes in eight flavors and three strengths (2, 4 and 7 milligrams).

The flavors are Spearmint, Wintergreen, Peppermint, Citrus, Dragon Fruit, Black Cherry and Coffee. Each can contains 20 pouches.

In November, London-based British American Tobacco plc said that the U.S. business of the BAT Group (BAT) has acquired the nicotine pouch product assets of Dryft Sciences LLC, a Moorpark, Calif.-based modern oral nicotine product company.

Asheville Hemp Project (AHP) pre-rolls are made using farm-grown hemp flower that's consistently rolled in unbleached hemp paper, and imported from France. Debuting in May, the entire stick, including a unique crutch (developed in-house to intentionally not filter out any cannabinoids) is biodegradable.

The crutch provides a strong piece to hold while smoking, keeping flower material off the user's lips, the company says. Each pre-roll contains 100 mg of CBD and is 84 millimeters long, the length of a standard cigarette. A pre-roll 10-pack is available for an SRP of $18.99.

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