Nicotine pouches, the small, flavored packets used between the gums and lips, have seen a rise in popularity as an alternative to smoking cigarettes and other traditional smokeless tobacco products. Introduced to the American market in 2014, these pouches have particularly caught on with the 25 to 44 age group. Recently, 20 products from the leading ZYN brand received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This authorization is a step below full approval but signifies that ZYN can continue to market its nicotine pouches in various flavors like spearmint, citrus, and coffee in both three- and six-milligram doses.
The FDA’s recent decision regarding ZYN, a product of Swedish Match which applied for this authorization in 2020, was described as “long overdue” by Jasjit Singh Ahluwalia, a physician and public health scientist at Brown University with over three decades of experience in nicotine addiction research. The decision was based on studies showing that these pouches could potentially divert smokers away from cigarettes, which contain numerous harmful carcinogens, to a product with significantly fewer dangerous chemicals.
According to Mary Hrywna, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, the FDA concluded that the public health benefits of these pouches outweigh the risks. However, she emphasized that this does not imply the products are deemed safe.
Supporting Science Journalism
If you find this article informative, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. Your subscription helps sustain future journalism that impacts our understanding of the world around us.
By the end of 2023, ZYN had become the best-selling oral nicotine brand in the U.S., with Philip Morris International (PMI), the tobacco giant owning Swedish Match, reporting nearly 385 million cans shipped to the U.S. alone. Overall, sales of nicotine pouches in the U.S. surged from 126 million in the last five months of 2019 to 808 million in just the first quarter of 2022, a JAMA report notes. Hrywna views the FDA’s authorization of ZYN as a positive initial step towards addressing less scrupulous manufacturers in the industry.
The booming market has attracted manufacturers who take advantage of the regulatory grey areas, Hrywna notes. With at least one product now authorized, the FDA might be in a better position to enforce regulations more strictly on those who have not sought any form of approval.
The mounting popularity of nicotine pouches, along with their appealing flavors and aggressive marketing strategies, has raised concerns about underage usage. In the United States, the legal age for purchasing nicotine products is 21. Nevertheless, the FDA had to issue over 100 warning letters to various retailers for selling ZYN products to individuals under 21. A 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey indicated that 1.8 percent of middle and high school students had used such products, translating to about 480,000 students—a figure significantly lower than e-cigarette usage but still concerning.
In response to inquiries, a PMI spokesperson stated that their U.S. affiliates are dedicated to responsible marketing, aimed exclusively at adults over 21 and do not engage social media influencers or feature individuals under 35 in their advertising, employing third-party age verification technologies in their campaigns.
Scientific American discussed further with Ahluwalia and Hrywna about the workings of nicotine pouches, their effectiveness as a smoking alternative, and the associated health risks.
Understanding Nicotine Pouches and Their Mechanism
Unlike traditional smokeless tobacco products like snuff or snus, which involve ground tobacco leaves, ZYN pouches contain a synthetic blend of nicotine salts, flavorings, and fillers. Typically, users place the pouch between their gum and lip, where the nicotine is absorbed through the mouth’s lining over a period ranging from 15 minutes to an hour.
Ahluwalia explains that the nicotine then binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the body, influencing the dopamine system and creating the addictive sensation associated with nicotine use.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Nicotine Pouches in Reducing Cigarette Usage
As alternatives to smoking, nicotine pouches along with gums, patches, and lozenges might offer a less harmful option or aid in quitting by gradually reducing nicotine dependence. Ahluwalia notes that while these products don’t mimic the immediate nicotine peaks of smoking, higher doses in pouches might effectively manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce smoking rates.
Studies submitted to the FDA by the manufacturers show promising trends, with a significant percentage of users switching entirely to pouches or reducing cigarette use significantly over several months. Hrywna, however, calls for more independent studies to verify these findings and to better understand the long-term impact of using nicotine pouches.
Potential Health Risks Associated with Nicotine Pouches
Although industry-funded studies suggest minimal risks to oral health and lower levels of harmful biomarkers compared to cigarette smoking, the overall health risks of nicotine, including potential cardiovascular and cancer risks, remain a concern. Nicotine pouches, like any nicotine product, can also cause side effects like increased heart rate and nausea, and are not without risks of addiction.
Hrywna stresses the need for ongoing research and monitoring, especially to prevent youth usage, and believes the FDA’s authorization provides a stronger framework for regulating these products and protecting public health.
Similar Posts
- FTC Alarmed by Big Tech-AI Partnerships, Microsoft-OpenAI Deal Sparks Concern!
- Breaking News: Red Dye Ban in Foods and Drugs – What You Need to Know!
- Bacon’s Tasty Temptation: Delicious Yet Dangerous for Health
- Imagination Technologies for Sale: Accusations of Stripping Key Tech by Owners
- New Obesity Definition Prioritizes Health Over BMI, Experts Say

Cameron Aldridge combines a scientific mind with a knack for storytelling. Passionate about discoveries and breakthroughs, Cameron unravels complex scientific advancements in a way that’s both informative and entertaining.