The FDA recently approved the marketing of ZYN nicotine pouch products, citing potential health benefits that outweigh the risks, especially for adult smokers looking to quit. These pouches, which contain nicotine and additives, are placed between the gum and lip for absorption into the bloodstream. While the FDA sees them as a harm reduction aid, concerns have been raised about their high nicotine content and potential risks to cardiovascular and oral health.
Sales of oral nicotine pouches have surged in recent years, with Nielsen Scan Track reporting a significant increase in unit sales. Philip Morris International, the company behind ZYN, shipped over 200 million cans in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 53% increase from the previous year. With smoking rates declining, the tobacco industry is diversifying its product offerings, including nicotine pouches, as a smokeless alternative.
Despite efforts by manufacturers to market responsibly to adults only, usage among teenagers has nearly doubled in a year. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 5.4% of 10th and 12th-grade students had tried nicotine pouches in 2024, up from 3% in 2023. Social media influencers, despite not being endorsed by the company, seem to be targeting younger demographics, capitalizing on the product’s smokeless nature and potential cognitive benefits from nicotine.
The FDA’s approval does not equate to safety, and the agency has warned that it could revoke authorization if youth uptake increases substantially. Concerns about addiction, dual use with other tobacco products, and long-term health effects have led organizations like the American Heart Association to call for public policies to prevent the use of these products. Nicotine can have adverse cardiovascular effects, and some users have reported mouth lesions from prolonged use.
Experts view ZYN nicotine pouches as an emerging public health concern, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for further investigation into the product’s impact on teens. Increased monitoring, regulations, and public health campaigns targeting youth may be necessary to address the potential risks associated with nicotine pouch use.
