Introduction to Zyn: The Flavored Nicotine Pouches Under FDA Review
As the tobacco industry continues to evolve, a new product has gained significant attention: Zyn, the flavored nicotine pouches. With billions of dollars in sales and a strong presence on social media, Zyn has become a household name. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now considering whether Philip Morris International, the manufacturer of Zyn, can advertise its product as a less-harmful alternative for adults who currently smoke cigarettes. In this article, we will delve into the details of Zyn’s review and what it means for the tobacco industry.
What is Zyn and Why is it Under Review?
Zyn contains nicotine powder and comes in 10 flavors, including mint, coffee, and citrus. The product has been a rare source of growth in the tobacco industry, which has struggled to replace shrinking revenue from cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and other legacy products. Philip Morris has asked the FDA to approve new marketing language for Zyn, emphasizing its relative health benefits when compared with cigarettes. Specifically, the company wants to claim that using Zyn reduces the risk of “mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke” and other smoking-related diseases.
Popularity and Sales of Zyn
While less than 1% of U.S. adults use nicotine pouches, the products make up the fastest-growing segment of the tobacco market. Zyn is the overwhelming U.S. leader in the market, with over $3.24 billion in sales last year, according to Nielsen data analyzed by Goldman Sachs. Most Zyn users are in their 30s and 40s and have higher incomes than people who use cigarettes or e-cigarettes, according to Philip Morris investor materials.
The Evidence Behind Zyn’s Claims
The FDA review notes that Philip Morris did not conduct long-term health studies of Zyn users but provided other data supporting its position. The company argues that Zyn has even lower health risks than snus, a type of tobacco pouch popular in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, because it does not contain any tobacco leaves, only nicotine. Research by the company showed Zyn had unquantifiable levels of 36 out of 42 carcinogens and other harmful chemicals found in tobacco products.
Underage Use and Concerns
Anti-tobacco groups have pointed to worrying signs of underage use, including videos from “Zynfluencers” and other young people using the pouches that have racked up tens of millions of views on social media platforms. A recent study conducted by an anti-tobacco nonprofit, the Truth Initiative, showed that spikes in viral TikTok videos about Zyn in 2022 and 2023 were followed by jumps in product sales. Despite such trends, teenage use of nicotine pouches remains relatively low at 2.4% of high school students, according to the latest federal survey data.
What’s Next for Zyn?
The FDA panel of independent public health experts will debate and make recommendations on these issues and others at an upcoming meeting. The FDA is not bound by that advice and is under no deadline to make a final decision. As the tobacco industry continues to evolve, it is essential to consider the potential benefits and risks of products like Zyn. For more information on Zyn and the FDA review, visit Here
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