The worrying rise of Zyn nicotine pouches: A new form of addiction
Will Llamas, a resident of Stamford, Connecticut, wasn’t a regular tobacco user when a friend introduced him to Zyn nicotine pouches. Convinced that the lack of tobacco made them safe, he quickly appreciated their effect and taste. “It gave me a dopamine hit, I felt more energetic, happier, almost focused,” he said. Before long, the 20-year-old was hooked, using up to XNUMX pouches a day.
Zyn nicotine pouches, available in 3- and 6-milligram doses and a variety of flavors including coffee, mint and citrus, have become wildly popular in recent years. The Swedish brand, acquired by Philip Morris in 2022, has seen sales explode, with more than 131 million packs sold in the first quarter of this year, an 80% increase from the previous year.
These products are often marketed as smoke-free and spit-free alternatives to cigarettes and other tobacco products, a feature that could make them more appealing to traditional non-tobacco users. However, this perception of less harm has raised concerns among health experts.
Tory Spindle, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, warns: "Our concern is that this perception could make these products more appealing to people who may not have tried tobacco-containing products."
Adverse health effects
Despite the absence of some known carcinogens found in tobacco products, nicotine pouches like Zyn contain other potentially harmful substances, such as formaldehyde, according to a 2023 study. Dr. Donna Shelley, a professor at the New York University School of Global Public Health, points out that these pouches are not without risks: “Negative effects include gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, gum pain and ulcers, as well as cardiovascular risks, such as increased heart rate.”
Will Llamas, after about a year of heavy use, began experiencing gastrointestinal problems that he now attributes to the nicotine pouches. “I had a lot of tests, including an ultrasound and a colonoscopy. All they found was an inflamed stomach,” he says. Since he abruptly stopped, his health problems have disappeared.
Increased risks for young people
One of the most concerning aspects of these products is their growing popularity among young people. Judith Gordon, a professor at the University of Arizona, warns that nicotine can affect young people's brains, leading to lifelong addiction. Vaughan Rees, director of the Center for Global Tobacco Control at Harvard, adds that the discreet design and various flavors of the pouches can make them easier for teens to use.
A recent study found that while nicotine pouch use remains low among adults, rates of use among adolescents are significantly higher. Dr. Adam Leventhal, co-author of the study, says these products may be driving the increase in sales, despite their low prevalence among adults.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued warnings against retailers selling nicotine pouches to minors. Pending review of marketing applications for Zyn and other nicotine pouches, the FDA has allowed their sale, drawing criticism from several medical organizations.
A fight against addiction
Six months after stopping Zyn, Will Llamas says he still experiences cravings. “Quitting was hard because I associated every activity with using a pouch. I had to relearn how to enjoy those activities without the dopamine rush of nicotine,” he says.
