FDA allows sale of ZYN nicotine pouches, cites lower risks than cigarettes

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Karah Rucker Anchor

By Karah Rucker (Anchor), Kalé Carey (Reporter), Jake Larsen (Video Editor)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has officially approved nicotine pouches from ZYN, deeming them safer than traditional cigarettes and lower in health risks. The decision made on Thursday, Jan. 16, marks a significant win for ZYN, allowing it to remain on the market.

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After a scientific review, the FDA approved 20 new ZYN products. These pouches, placed between the gum and lip, deliver nicotine in varying doses. ZYN submitted an application asking the FDA for permission to market the products to consumers.

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The FDA’s decision is based on a law that establishes public health standards for tobacco products. This leaves it to the agency to evaluate the benefits and risks of new products.

In its review, the FDA concluded that nicotine pouches contain fewer harmful chemicals than cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco products. The administration said this reduces the risk of cancer and other serious health issues.

The FDA also found a significant number of smokers completely switched to nicotine pouches, with the potential to quit nicotine altogether over time.

Swedish Match, a company affiliated with the tobacco product, praised the FDA’s decision. They say it was “An important step to protect the public health by providing better alternatives to cigarettes and other traditional tobacco products for adults.”

ZYN has experienced a surge in sales, partially fueled by social media trends. However, the rise in popularity has raised concerns among public health groups, which are focused on preventing youth access to nicotine products. Despite growing sales, the FDA reports that fewer than 2% of middle and high school students use nicotine pouches, according to a recent study.

However, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids criticized the FDA’s approval. They call it a “dangerous precedent” that allows products with flavors “clearly appealing to kids.”

The approval of nicotine pouches comes with cautionary notes. Dr. Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, emphasized that the agency is closely monitoring the marketplace. He says they are committed to taking necessary action to protect public health.

ZYN must adhere to strict marketing restrictions to ensure its products are only advertised to those over 21. Despite the FDA’s approval, the agency stresses that these products are not safe. The FDA warns against starting to use tobacco products.

The decision to allow nicotine pouches on the market represents a major shift in the regulation of tobacco products, with the FDA taking a new approach to reducing health risks while offering alternatives to traditional smoking.

Tags: Cancer, Children, FDA, Tobacco

[Karah Rucker]

THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION HAS OFFICIALLY WEIGHED IN ON NICOTINE POUCHES, DECLARING THEM SAFER THAN CIGARETTES AND LOWERING HEALTH RISKS.

THURSDAY’S DECISION IS A MAJOR WIN FOR ZYN, THE COMPANY BEHIND THE POPULAR POUCHES, ALLOWING THEM TO REMAIN ON THE MARKET.

THE FDA APPROVED 20 NEW ZYN PRODUCTS AFTER A SCIENTIFIC REVIEW.

THESE POUCHES FIT BETWEEN THE GUM AND LIP, DELIVERING NICOTINE IN VARYING DOSES.

ZYN SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION ASKING THE FDA IF THEY CAN LEGALLY MARKET THEIR PRODUCTS TO CUSTOMERS.

A LAW SETS THE PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARD FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS, LEAVING IT UP TO THE FDA TO WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS.

THE FDA FOUND NICOTINE POUCHES HAVE FEWER HARMFUL CHEMICALS THAN CIGARETTES AND OTHER SMOKELESS PRODUCTS, LOWERING THE RISK OF CANCER AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES.

IT ALSO FOUND THAT MANY SMOKERS COMPLETELY SWITCHED TO THE POUCHES, WITH A POSSIBILITY OF EVENTUALLY QUITTING NICOTINE ALTOGETHER.

PRESIDENT OF AN AFFILIATED COMPANY TO ZYN SAYS THE AUTHORIZATION IS “an important step to protect the public health by providing better alternatives to cigarettes and other traditional tobacco products for adults”

ZYN HAS SEEN A SALES BOOM, BOOSTED BY SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS. HOWEVER, THE RISE IN POPULARITY HAS ALSO DRAWN ATTENTION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH GROUPS, WHO ARE WATCHING OUT FOR YOUTH USE.

DESPITE THE GROWING SALES, THE FDA REPORTS THAT FEWER THAN 2% OF MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS USE NICOTINE POUCHES, ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO-FREE KIDS RELEASED A STATEMENT ON THE AUTHORIZATION, CALLING IT A “DANGEROUS PRECEDENT” THAT ALLOW THE PRODUCTS WITH FLAVORS THAT “CLEARLY APPEAL TO KIDS.”

THE FDA’S APPROVAL COMES WITH A CAUTIONARY NOTE

SAYING THE AGENCY IS, Closely monitoring the marketplace and is committed to taking action, as appropriate, to best protect public health.”

ZYN HAS RESTRICTIONS TO FOLLOW, ENSURING WHO THEY ADVERTISE TO ARE OVER THE AGE OF 21.

THE FDA IS CLEAR: THESE PRODUCTS AREN’T SAFE, AND THE APPROVAL DOESN’T RECOMMEND STARTING TO USE TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M KARAH RUCKER