Is Snus Haram? What Islam Says About Snus, VELO, ZYN, and Nicotine Pouches

Is snus haram? This is a question many Muslims are beginning to ask as the popularity of nicotine pouches like Velo and Zyn increases. While these products are not smoked, they do contain nicotine and some even contain tobacco, but where do they stand in Islam? Any substance that causes harm to the body or contains intoxicants may be considered haram, this is where the nuance and confusion often lie, are nicotine pouches harmful if they don’t contain tobacco? What does this mean about their permissibility? Final rulings often depend on individuals’ or scholars’ interpretations and the health impact.

In this guide we’ll break down the differences between the different types of products from traditional snus to tobacco-free nicotine pouches, the Islamic perspective on these and what Islamic scholars say about their permissibility.

What Is Snus (and Why It’s Different from Nicotine Pouches)

In modern times the distinction between snus and nicotine pouches has become blurred. Often, due to being used in the same way (placed in between the lip and gum) both snus and nicotine pouches fall under the colloquialism “snus”. However, there is a key difference between both.

Traditional snus contains real tobacco whereas nicotine pouches such as Velo and Zyn do not contain any tobacco. They are constructed with synthetic or naturally derived nicotine, plant fibres and flavourings, mimicking the effect of snus without the actual tobacco.

This is why questions like “Is VELO haram?” or “Is ZYN haram?” often get different answers than “Is snus haram.” The presence of tobacco in snus makes the ruling much clearer and less debatable.

Although nicotine pouches are definitely addictive due to the nicotine content, they are a more recent invention and questions about the actual health concerns are still unclear and under-researched. But what does this mean in terms of Islam?

Is Snus Haram in Islam?

Considering the negative health effects of tobacco are widely known and confirmed, from an Islamic perspective, snus is generally considered haram by most scholars, and the reasoning comes down to three key principles: harm, intoxication, and addiction.

Islamic teachings are clear on avoiding self-harm. The Quran says: “Do not let your own hands throw you into destruction.” – [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:195]

Tobacco is directly linked to increased risks of cancer, gum disease, and heart problems. Due to this, there is not much debate amongst scholars about the permissibility of snus. The consensus is that snus is haram based on the principle of preserving health (hifz al-nafs), which is one of the core objectives of Shariah.

Snus doesn’t intoxicate the mind like alcohol or drugs, it doesn’t impair judgment. So in that sense, it’s not haram due to intoxication. However, the absence of intoxication doesn’t automatically make it halal, especially if it causes other harm.

It is well known that nicotine is highly addictive, and Islam encourages self-control and moderation. Due to this scholars often label addictive substances as makruh (discouraged) or haram if the addiction brings on physical, mental or spiritual harm.

One of the clearest examples is from the Islamic Fiqh Council, which declared: “All forms of tobacco consumption, including cigarettes, snuff, and chewing tobacco, are haram because of their confirmed health dangers.”

Snus, containing tobacco, falls directly under this fatwa and is therefore haram.

Are Nicotine Pouches Haram?

Public opinion is more divided when it comes to nicotine pouches. Some argue that nicotine on its own is not inherently harmful, and may even offer certain cognitive benefits. They claim the real danger lies in how nicotine is delivered: through smoking, vaping, or tobacco-based products like snus.

Since nicotine pouches are smokeless and tobacco-free, they exist in more of a grey area. Unlike snus, they don’t contain the tobacco leaf, a key factor that pushes many scholars to classify snus as haram. Because of this, many scholars consider nicotine pouches at the very least makruh (strongly discouraged), though whether they are explicitly haram is still debated.

Contrary to common misconceptions, Islam is a faith grounded in compassion and context. Actions are often judged primarily by one’s intention and personal circumstances. This is a crucial point in understanding why there is debate around the permissibility of tobacco-free nicotine pouches amongst scholars. For example If someone uses nicotine pouches to quit smoking, that intention may carry more weight in the ruling than if they’re using them purely for recreation. Below we have broken down common arguments for nicotine pouches being haram or permissable.

Below, we’ve broken down the most common arguments for and against nicotine pouches from an Islamic perspective.

Arguments FOR Being Haram

Some scholars lean towards nicotine pouches being haram for the following reasons:

• Addictive nature – Islam promotes self-control. Anything that creates dependency can conflict with this value.
• Health risks – While pouches are safer than smoking, nicotine is still a stimulant that can raise blood pressure and affect your heart. Some scholars say any harmful substance, even mildly harmful, should be avoided.
• Recreational use – Using these just for fun or stimulation rather than as a medical aid makes the intention less justifiable.
• Uncertainty (gharar) – The long-term health effects of nicotine pouches aren’t fully known yet. In Islamic law, things that involve risk or unknown harm are generally discouraged until clarified.

Arguments FOR Being Halal

Other scholars see it differently and don’t consider nicotine pouches haram — especially in certain situations:

• No intoxication – They don’t impair your judgment or get you “high,” so they don’t fall into the same category as alcohol or drugs.
• Harm reduction – For someone trying to quit cigarettes or vapes, nicotine pouches offer a cleaner, safer alternative. Islam allows choosing the lesser harm when it helps someone improve their health.
• Tobacco and smoke-free – Since there’s no tobacco involved, they avoid most of the harmful compounds found in smoking or snus.
• Comparable to caffeine – Like nicotine, caffeine is a stimulant, yet it’s widely accepted across the Muslim world. This raises the question: if caffeine is fine in moderation, why does nicotine differ?

Is VELO Haram?

Velo nicotine pouches are generally considered makruh (discouraged) but not necessarily haram according to most Islamic scholars as they contain synthetic pharmaceutical grade nicotine but no tobacco. Products like Velo Crispy Peppermint and other flavours are popular products in Islamic countries such as the UAE and Qatar.

Many Muslim users choose Velo as a harm reduction tool to quit cigarettes or other harmful products. However, if you’re using VELO purely for recreation some scholars may view it as makruh or haram. How permissible usage is often dependent on your intention and control over usage.

Is ZYN Haram?

Zyn nicotine pouches are very similar to Velo in how it’s used and the ingredients. They are also a tobacco-free product so the same rulings and ideas that apply to Velo also apply to Zyn. Since it doesn’t intoxicate and does not contain tobacco some scholars don’t classify it as outright haram but rather, as makruh. But again the nuance comes down to addiction, intention and potential harm.

For Muslims using ZYN as a step away from smoking, it may be tolerated as a lesser evil. For those using it recreationally with no plan to quit, it could be seen as more problematic.

What Scholars Say: Islamic Legal Perspectives

Regarding tobacco-free nicotine pouches there isn’t yet a clear universal ruling across all schools of thought. Unlike cigarettes or snus, which have clear fatwas against them due to their tobacco content and proven harm. Nicotine pouches sit in a grey area.

Although the four main schools of Islamic law (Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki, and Shafi’i) agree on core principles like avoiding harm, protecting health, and maintaining self-control. Modern nicotine pouches didn’t exist during classical scholarship, there’s no definitive ruling across the board.

Most contemporary scholars rely on applying Islamic principles to new, emerging issues which is why opinions can vary and ideas on the topic are still developing.

What’s generally agreed upon is that if a substance is harmful, addictive, or used for recreation without need, it’s either makruh or haram. But if it’s used to quit something worse, and doesn’t intoxicate, some scholars are more lenient seeing it as a form of harm reduction, especially if the person using it has control over their usage.

Opinions also vary depnding on location and culutral norms. In countries like Pakistan where there is traditional tobacco use religious authorities take a more flexible stance towards these products that help people move away from more harmful tobacco alternatives. Products like Velo and Zyn are sold in Islamic countries like Pakistan, the UAE and Qatar, where you can even find more niche brands such as White Fox and more.

While there isn’t one “official” position on nicotine pouches across the Islamic world, the general theme is this: use with caution, know your intention, and if in doubt ask a scholar you trust.

Should Muslims Use Nicotine Pouches?

As a Muslim whether or not you should use nicotine pouches boils down to your intention and level of self control. Islam encourages believers to stay away from substances that cause harm, addiction or impair judgement, but it also recognises context and purpose. If you’re using nicotine pouches to quit vaping or smoking it has more religious justification. If you’re using them for a buzz, out of boredom, or as a long-term habit with no plan to stop, that raises more concerns in the Islamic framework. Ultimately you should ask yourself what the purpose of you using nicotine pouches is, do they affect your spiritual life, and are you able to practice self control? If there’s doubt in your heart it’s alwats best to consult a trusted scholar.

Halal Alternatives to Nicotine Pouches

If you’re trying to quit smoking or vaping and want to avoid any grey areas, here are some cleaner, halal-friendly alternatives to consider.

• Nicotine patches or gum (approved by doctors): Often used in NHS smoking cessation programs and generally considered more acceptable due to medical context.
• Herbal pouches (nicotine-free): nicotine free pouches like Velo Zero exist which mimic the pouch experience but contain no nicotine or stimulants.
• Caffeine pouches: Caffeine is not prohibited in Islam, so if you are using nicotine pouches as a stimulant to improve focus, caffeine pouches might be a great halal alternative
• Mindfulness-based habit apps: Tools like QuitGenius or Headspace can help manage cravings through behavioural change rather than substitution.
• Islamic support groups: Many mosques offer support groups for breaking harmful habits. These combine religious guidance with practical advice and allow you to connect with other Muslims to achieve a shared goal.

Are Nicotine Pouches Haram FAQs