How to Use VELO Nicotine Pouches

What a VELO nicotine pouch is

A VELO pouch is a small white sachet of plant fibre, nicotine, flavouring and sweetener, sealed in a soft fleece and designed to sit under your upper lip. There is no tobacco in it and nothing is burned, heated or inhaled. VELO is made by British American Tobacco and sold across the UK.

Our VELO range runs from 4 mg to 17 mg of nicotine per pouch at £4.49 a can, in two formats — Slim and Mini. The strength is shown as a row of dots on the lid alongside the milligram figure; VELO strengths explained covers what each dot count means.

How to open a VELO can

VELO cans use a twist lid rather than a lift-off one, which is why people get stuck on the first attempt. Hold the base firmly in your palm, grip the lid, and turn it anticlockwise. There is a point of resistance about a quarter turn in; keep turning past it and the lid releases.

On a brand-new can there is a thin paper or foil seal under the lid. Peel it away and discard it before taking a pouch. Once opened, the lid twists back on the same way and keeps the remaining pouches from drying out.

The compartment in the lid

The top of a VELO lid opens separately. That upper compartment is a catch-lid: somewhere to put used pouches when there is no bin to hand. It holds a small number — six to eight in practice — and is not a storage space for fresh pouches. Empty it into general waste when you can. Pouches should not go down a toilet or sink.

How to use a VELO pouch, step by step

The method is the same for every strength and both formats. It takes about ten seconds once you have done it once, and the only common mistakes are chewing the pouch or putting it in the wrong place.

1. Take one pouch out of the can with clean, dry fingers.
2. Lift your upper lip and tuck the pouch between lip and gum, slightly off to one side.
3. Press it flat with your tongue so it sits comfortably against the gum.
4. Leave it alone. A tingling or warm sensation in the first few minutes is normal and settles.
5. After around 20 to 30 minutes, or once the flavour has gone, take it out.
6. Put the used pouch in the lid compartment or a bin.

Use one at a time. Do not chew, suck or move the pouch around — it is designed to stay still and release gradually. Minis go in exactly the same place; they are simply smaller and less noticeable.

Do you spit or swallow with VELO?

Neither, really. VELO pouches contain no tobacco, so there is no tobacco juice to spit out, and you can swallow your saliva as normal while one is in. The pouch itself should never be swallowed — take it out and bin it when you are finished.

If you do swallow a pouch by accident it will usually pass without incident, though it may cause nausea or a stomach ache. Drink some water. If you feel unwell, or if a child or pet has swallowed one, treat it as urgent and contact NHS 111 or a vet straight away — nicotine is toxic in the quantities a pouch contains.

How long to keep one in, and how long a can lasts

Around 20 to 30 minutes is the usual guidance, and the flavour fading is a reasonable signal that you have had most of what the pouch will give. Some people keep one in for longer, up to about 45 minutes; beyond that you are mostly holding a spent pouch in your mouth.

A Slim can holds 20 pouches and a Mini holds 15. How long that lasts is entirely down to how many you use in a day, which is a decision for you rather than something we will put a number on. Store cans somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight, and always out of reach of children and animals. An unopened can keeps well until the date printed on the base; once opened, the pouches gradually dry out and the flavour dulls.

If it is your first VELO pouch

Start at the lower end of the range. VELO's one and two dot pouches are 4 mg and 6 mg, and they exist precisely so that people are not beginning at 17 mg. Take the first pouch out early rather than leaving it the full half hour, and do not use one on an empty stomach.

Taking more nicotine than you are used to commonly causes nausea, hiccups, dizziness, sweating, headache, a racing heart or a burning sensation in the gum. If that happens, take the pouch out. Mild gum irritation where the pouch sits is also commonly reported, which is why many people move the pouch between sides rather than always using the same spot. Our guide to side effects goes into more detail.

The important part: nicotine is highly addictive, and these pouches deliver it. They are for adults aged 18 and over who already use nicotine. If you do not use nicotine, do not start. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use them. We sell these products and cannot give health advice — for that, speak to a pharmacist or your GP, or read NHS Better Health.

Where VELO fits in the rules

VELO pouches are tobacco-free, which matters legally. Tobacco snus — the Swedish product that does contain tobacco — has been banned from sale in the UK since 1992 and remains prohibited under regulation 17 of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, with manufacture, sale and possession with intent to supply covered by sections 7 to 9 of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.

Nicotine pouches themselves are legal to buy and use in the UK. From 29 October 2026 the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 makes it a criminal offence to sell them to anyone under 18, to buy them for an under-18, to give out free samples or substantial discounts, or to sell them from vending machines. See is snus legal in the UK? for the fuller picture.

Frequently asked questions

How do you open VELO snus?

Hold the base of the can steady and twist the lid anticlockwise past the point of resistance until it releases. On a new can, peel off the paper seal underneath before taking a pouch. The separate compartment on top of the lid is for used pouches, not fresh ones.

Do you swallow VELO nicotine pouches?

No. The pouch stays under your upper lip and comes out when you are finished. You can swallow saliva normally while it is in. If you swallow a pouch by accident it will usually pass, but it may cause nausea — drink water and contact NHS 111 if you feel unwell.

Are you supposed to spit with VELO pouches?

No. VELO contains no tobacco, so there is no tobacco juice to spit. Swallow saliva as you normally would. If you find you are producing a lot more saliva than usual, that often settles after the first few pouches as you get used to the sensation.

How long do you keep a VELO pouch in?

Around 20 to 30 minutes, or until the flavour fades. Some people go up to about 45 minutes. If it is your first pouch, take it out earlier than that — there is nothing to be gained from leaving a pouch in longer than it is comfortable.

Where do you put a VELO pouch?

Between your upper lip and your gum, slightly to one side, pressed flat with your tongue. The upper lip is the standard placement. Do not chew it or move it around — it is meant to sit still and release gradually while you get on with things.

How many pouches are in a VELO can?

Slim cans hold 20 pouches and Mini cans hold 15. Both cost £4.49 in our range, so a Slim works out cheaper per pouch. The count is printed on the can if you want to check the one you have.

Can you reuse a VELO pouch?

No. Once the flavour has gone the pouch has released most of its nicotine, and putting a used pouch back in the can risks contaminating the fresh ones. Bin it, or use the compartment in the lid until you can dispose of it properly.

Sources

• VELO UK — product information, formats and strength levels
• Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 (c. 18), legislation.gov.uk
• Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, regulation 17
• Committee on Toxicity, statement on oral nicotine pouches (2023)
• NHS Better Health
• NHS 111

This product contains nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance. For adults aged 18 and over only.