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BAT rolls out VELO nicotine pouches in Argentina as social media buzzes about ZYN distribution

Jan.12
BAT rolls out VELO nicotine pouches in Argentina as social media buzzes about ZYN distribution
BAT Argentina says it has launched VELO nicotine pouches in Argentina, positioning the product as an adult alternative that contains no tobacco and involves no combustion. At the same time, social media discussion and media reporting indicate that Philip Morris International’s ZYN nicotine pouches are also being distributed through Argentine channels.

Key points

 

• BAT Argentina is offering VELO nicotine pouches in Argentina

• A cited comparison says Sweden’s daily smoking rate is 5.3% and describes a 54% decline over a little more than a decade

• BAT Argentina’s Jorge Arguindegui says VELO contains no tobacco and involves no combustion or smoke inhalation

• PMI’s ZYN nicotine pouches were reportedly widely stocked at kiosks

• Argentina currently has no law specifically targeting nicotine pouches

 

 

2Firsts, January 12, 2026 – According to Clarin, BAT Argentina has begun offering VELO nicotine pouches in Argentina.

 

BAT Argentina’s Jorge Arguindegui said the company is working to provide adult consumers with lower-risk alternatives to traditional cigarettes and said it recently launched VELO nicotine pouches. He said the product contains no tobacco and that its use does not involve combustion or inhaling smoke.

 

The report says that amid a global trend of moving away from tobacco sales and Argentina’s ban on vaping products, BAT is shifting its business model toward nicotine pouch sales.

 

The text says the development coincides with the publication of a report comparing smoking trends in Sweden and Argentina, stating that in Sweden, the adoption of nicotine pouches led to a sharp reduction in smokers.

 

The cited report states: “Sweden today has the lowest rate of daily smokers in the European Union: just 5.3%, a level close to the international standard that defines a smoke-free society. This historic decline — a 54% reduction in a little more than a decade — was driven by the wide availability of non-combustion alternatives, such as snus, nicotine pouches and e-cigarette products, which allow people to abandon cigarettes and avoid the toxic effects of combustion.”

 

November 2025, social media discussions (such as on Reddit) mentioned that PMI’s ZYN had arrived in Argentina, and that in December 2025, media reports said the product had begun to be widely stocked at kiosks.

 

BAT rolls out VELO nicotine pouches in Argentina as social media buzzes about ZYN distribution
ZYN sparks discussion on Reddit | Image source: Reddit

 

In 2023, the Argentine government banned the import and sale of heated tobacco products such as PMI’s IQOS, and says there is currently no nicotine-pouch-specific law in Argentina.

 

Image source: Clarin

Further reading:

 

2FIRSTS | Alan Zhao: In the Post-“Absolute Resolve” Era: Speculating on U.S.-Referenced Regulatory Alignment and the Restructuring of Order in South America’s Novel Tobacco Market
2FIRSTS | Alan Zhao: In the Post-“Absolute Resolve” Era: Speculating on U.S.-Referenced Regulatory Alignment and the Restructuring of Order in South America’s Novel Tobacco Market
Alan Zhao analyzes post-Operation Absolute Resolve geopolitics and the rise of “U.S.-referenced regulatory alignment” in South America’s novel tobacco market as U.S. influence grows. Using regulatory reliance, digitalized enforcement, and industrial shifts, he assesses how rule redesign may alter market access, competition, and supply chains, asking how firms can find durable certainty as order is rewritten.
www.2firsts.com

 

References:
[1] https://www.clarin.com/economia/inspirados-modelo-sueco-venden-productos-libre-humo-argentina_0_Xmb96Kl0DA.html
Also Read:
[1] Argentina's Neuquén province reiterates e-cigarette ban, covering import, distribution, and marketing
[2] BAT Taps McLaren Title Win for Travel Retail Activation, Launches VELO “Champions’ Edition” Nicotine Pouches
[3] $200 Million Investment to Advance Smokeless Product Manufacturing at Reynolds

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

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AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

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