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There's a new nicotine alternative on the block, and consumers can't get enough. You've likely heard of e-cigarettes, vapes, and chewing tobacco, but "Zyn" is a trendy brand of nicotine pouches — the fastest-growing part of the US tobacco market, per AP News. In fact, Zyn has grown so popular over the past few years, that even with increased production, the persistent Zyn shortage has only just started to let up.
With its fast rise to fame and controversial reputation, it's worth asking: is Zyn bad for you? You'd assume it's safe, considering that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the sale of 20 different Zyn nicotine pouch products, citing potential health benefits for adult smokers. In their announcement, the FDA added that "a substantial proportion of adults who use cigarette and/or smokeless tobacco products" switched to Zyn pouches, further justifying the authorization. But this decision doesn't necessarily mean that Zyn is good for you — only that it could serve as a better alternative to traditional tobacco products like cigarettes and snuff.
To win FDA authorization and remain on the market, companies typically have to prove that their products will reduce disease among adult tobacco users without attracting teens and adolescents. Interestingly — while Zyn's website says it's only intended for those 21 and older — the product seems to be quite popular among teens and young adults. In a 2023 study made up of 300 participants ages 15 to 24, 16 percent reported trying nicotine pouches and 12 percent said they're current users.
On top of that, the main ingredient in Zyn is still nicotine. So while it's safer than smoking, the pouches can still be addictive (just ask a Zyn bro). To further unpack the health implications of Zyn — including whether Zyn is bad for you — we turned to the experts. Here's what doctors had to say about Zyn, including the potential consequences of long-term use.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Joyce Kahng, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist and the owner of Orange and Magnolia Dental Studio.
Alexandra Kharazi, MD, is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon and the author of "The Heart of Fear."
What Is Zyn?
According to its website, Zyn is a smoke-free, spit-free, hands-free nicotine product. The pouch contains nicotine salt and "food-grade ingredients," including granulation agents, stabilizers, fillers, pH balancers, sweeteners, and flavorings. The pouches are practically calorie-free (less than one calorie per pouch), range in strength from three to six milligrams of nicotine, and come in a variety of flavors like Cool Mint, Cinnamon, Coffee, and Citrus. As a note, Zyn is an alternative to smoking or dipping — it's not meant to help you quit smoking. It also worth emphasizing that the while tobacco-free, the active ingredient in Zyn is still nicotine. The single-use pouch is placed between your upper lip and gum for up to one hour. The nicotine is then absorbed through the oral mucosa (the inner lining of your mouth, cheeks, and lips) and into the bloodstream, says cosmetic dentist Joyce Kahng, DDS. This can cause a buzzed or relaxed sensation, says cardiothoracic surgeon Alexandra Kharazi, MD. While Zyn pouches are smokeless, we know that nicotine still carries significant health risks (more on that later).
The Zyn Lawsuit
As previously mentioned, Zyn is intended for adults 21 and over, per the product website, but the tobacco alternative has come under major scrutiny for its popularity among teens. In January of 2024, Senator Chuck Schumer called for federal action, asking the FDA and Federal Trade Commission to evaluate Zyn's marketing practices and negative health effects, noting the product is a "pouch packed with problems – high levels of nicotine." Despite this concern, the FDA's recent authorization shows that the agency sees the value in Zyn's use as a smokeless tobacco alternative.
The Swedish brand has long been popular in Europe, but a recent spike in "Zynfluencers," (aka those who promote Zyn on their social media platforms) has skyrocketed its popularity in the United States. With millions of likes and views on TikTok and Instagram, Senator Schumer says Zyn "locks their sights on young kids – teenagers, and even lower – and then uses social media to hook 'em." As a result, the senator sent a "warning to parents" and urged the FDA to crack down and investigate Zyn's marketing tactics.
However, brand representatives deny engaging in any such tactics. A representative from Phillip Morris International, the parent company of Zyn, told PS that the brand remains "vigilant in monitoring content and reporting concerns where possible to address underage use, product misuse, and inappropriate content or claims involving our products." The spokesperson also went on to say that "social media communications are limited to posts on our Zyn Facebook and Instagram pages that are age-gated to 21+ audiences and adhere to the marketing restrictions of the respective social media platforms."
Is Zyn Bad For You?
Especially following the FDA's authorization, Zyn has been marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, snuff, or dipping, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's good for you.
The active chemical in Zyn is still nicotine, which can be extremely detrimental to the cardiovascular system, Dr. Kharazi says. Not only does it increase heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption of the heart, but it also narrows the cardiovascular arteries and limits blood flow to the muscles, further stressing the heart, she explains. The effects of nicotine on the liver aren't as widely studied, but Dr. Kharazi says there is solid evidence to conclude that long-term nicotine consumption impairs liver function and contributes to fatty liver disease.
A 2023 study also found that nicotine has serious implications on sleeping habits and can cause numerous sleep-related disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and poor sleep quality. And because sleep is inextricably linked to your overall health and immune system, the same study found that a nicotine-induced lack of sleep puts you at a greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity.
On top of that, because Zyn pouches are lodged between your gum and upper lip, they're not great for your oral health either, Dr. Kahng says. More research is still needed, but when the product is held against the oral tissues for prolonged periods of time, gum recession (when gum tissue that surrounds the teeth wears away) can occur, she explains. Depending on the placement of the pouch, it can also increase the risk of localized plaque development leading to tooth decay and cavities, she adds.
The Bottom Line
Any form of nicotine is extremely addictive, Zyn included, and once you start, it's difficult to break the habit. "While there is no long-term data available on Zyn specifically, we do have evidence of the detrimental effects of nicotine on multiple organ systems and can therefore extrapolate that long-term and frequent use of Zyn should be avoided," Dr. Kharazi says. While Zyn may prove helpful for adult smokers looking to quit tobacco products, it's important to note that, "nicotine is hardly an innocent or harmless substance," Dr. Kharazi emphasizes. Ultimately, Zyn could be a safer option when compared to traditional tobacco products like cigarettes, but for non-smokers, the nicotine pouches are not without their own set of risks.
— Additional reporting by Chandler Plante
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based freelance writer and graduate from Emory University and Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in PS, Women's Health, Cosmopolitan, and elsewhere.
Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.
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