Instead of a smoke break, enjoy a free Snus in the office – a new trend among US companies
A new US trend is aiming to boost concentration and productivity in the office with a free Snus offer, while also preventing smoke breaks. But do Snus really have a positive effect on cognitive performance, and can you actually work more productively by using them?
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.
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.