US FDA Officially Authorises Zyn Nicotine Pouches for Sale

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially authorized the sale of Zyn nicotine pouches, signaling the agency's approval of the product as a tool to help individuals quit smoking cigarettes. This decision, announced on Thursday, allows 10 different Zyn flavours, including mint, coffee, cinnamon, and menthol, to remain available on the market.

Zyn nicotine pouches, produced by a company owned by tobacco giant Philip Morris, have been sold to adults in the US for over a decade. However, they have only now received formal approval after the FDA completed its review process. The pouches, which do not contain actual tobacco but instead deliver nicotine, have rapidly gained popularity in recent years.

The FDA's approval is based on data submitted by the company, showing that a significant number of adults who previously used cigarettes and/or smokeless tobacco have successfully switched to using nicotine pouches. This approval does not, however, indicate that Zyn is a safe product, but rather that it is considered less harmful than other forms of nicotine and tobacco.

Unlike traditional forms of oral nicotine, such as nicotine gum or patches, Zyn pouches are placed between the gum and lips, where they slowly release nicotine. This delivery method is similar to snus, a smokeless tobacco product commonly used in Norway and Sweden, which contains tobacco. While snus is banned in the UK and the rest of the EU, it remains legal in the US.

The FDA's decision does not imply that nicotine pouches are without risk. The agency emphasized that "there is no safe tobacco product," and that adults who do not use tobacco products should refrain from starting. In addition, the FDA reiterated that youth should not use any tobacco products. Notably, the FDA's statement also pointed out that less than 2% of American students reported using nicotine pouches in the previous year, contrasting with the widespread uptake of e-cigarettes among teens.

In related news, the FDA also proposed a new rule this week aimed at reducing the amount of nicotine allowed in cigarettes, cigars, and rolling tobacco, as part of its ongoing efforts to address tobacco-related health risks.