Nicotine Toothpicks vs Gum, Patches and Pouches

There are many ways to get nicotine without smoking. Here is how a toothpick compares with the three most common ones.

First, an important difference

Nicotine gum and patches are medicines. They are approved to help people quit smoking, and they come with dosing instructions from a doctor or a pharmacist.

Nicotine pouches and nicotine toothpicks are not medicines. They are nicotine products for adults who already use nicotine. Stokes picks are not approved to help anyone quit, and we do not sell them for that. If you want to quit, talk to your doctor.

How each one works

Gum. You chew it until it tingles, then park it in your cheek. Nicotine comes out over about 30 minutes. Common strengths are 2 mg and 4 mg.

Patch. You stick it on your skin. Nicotine comes through the skin slowly all day, usually over 16 or 24 hours.

Pouch. You tuck it between your lip and gum. Nicotine comes out fast, usually over 15 to 30 minutes, then you spit it out.

Toothpick. You hold a Stokes pick between your cheek and gum. The 5 mg of nicotine in the wood comes out slowly over 20 to 60 minutes. When the flavor fades you flip to the other end.

How it feels

A patch is the slowest and steadiest. A pouch is the fastest and strongest. Gum and toothpicks are in between, with a toothpick lasting longer than a piece of gum.

Taste and texture

Gum has a sweetener and a flavor, and it is gum, so you chew it. Pouches are a soft bag against your gum. A toothpick is wood, so it feels like a toothpick, and the flavor comes from organic ingredients. Stokes has four flavors: Vanilla Mint, Lemon Ginger, Cinnamon Clove and Absinthe.

Ingredients

A Stokes pick has five ingredients: American white birch, pure nicotine, certified organic flavors, organic monk fruit and vegetable glycerin. No sugar, no sucralose, nothing artificial. Gum, patches and pouches each have their own ingredient lists. Read the label on the one you use.

Side by side

	Gum	Patch	Pouch	Stokes pick
Sold as	Quit-smoking aid	Quit-smoking aid	Nicotine product	Nicotine product
Nicotine	2 or 4 mg	Varies, all day	Varies by brand	5 mg per pick
How long	About 30 minutes	16 to 24 hours	15 to 30 minutes	20 to 60 minutes
Spitting	No	No	Sometimes	No
Waste	Gum and wrapper	Patch	Pouch and plastic can	A birch toothpick

Which one is for you

If you want to quit nicotine, gum and patches are made for that, and your doctor can help you choose. If you already use nicotine and want something slow, flavorful and simple, a toothpick is one option. Nicotine is an addictive chemical in every one of these. Stokes picks are for adults 21 and over.

Read how a pick works or see the four flavors.