Designed for on-the-go convenience, Zyns and other nicotine pouches appeal to users as a low-profile alternative to vaping.
Nicotine pouches are designed to be placed in the gums. As they moisten, they release nicotine into the user’s bloodstream.
From 2018 to 2023, Zyn shipments grew from 6 million to 334 million cans annually, an increase of over 5,000%. This rise has positioned Zyn as a leading nicotine alternative for those looking for smokeless, tobacco-free options, fueled by advertising that promotes Zyn as a cleaner alternative to smoking and vaping
Smoke shop employees near the Hawk Hill campus have noticed a steady rise in Zyn sales, especially from younger customers, according to Sweet Air Vape & Smoke employee Aaron Dawkins.
“They tend to grab them because that’s what they see,” Dawkins said. “I’ve seen advertisements on TikTok saying, ‘Grab a Zyn.’”
Zyns are sold in containers holding 15 pouches, with nicotine levels of three and six milligrams. They can cost anywhere from $5 to $7, depending on where you buy them.
Chris Mann, an employee at Haze City Smokes & Convenience on City Avenue, said most of his Zyn customers are men. Nicotine pouch users are more likely to be over the age of 21 and male, according to a study included in the National Library of Medicine.
A 21-year-old St. Joe’s student, who asked that his name be withheld, said he began using Zyns as an alternative to vaping, as he believed they were more discrete and seemingly healthier than using a vape.
“I played a club sport, which is very much a cardiovascular activity, and at the time I was vaping, so I needed an alternative,” he said. “So, I switched to Zyns, and then after that was like, ‘I don’t need the vape anymore.’”
The anonymous student said he also uses Zyns because they help him concentrate.
“Whether it’s in the classroom or just doing work outside of the classroom, it helps me narrow my focus onto what I’m doing in that moment and cut out distractions,” the student said.
The student is among 2.9% of adults in the United States who have used nicotine pouches at some point, according to a 2022 study cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2024, 1.8% of middle and high school students said they currently use nicotine pouches.
Eileen Bevilacqua, RN, director of the Student Health Center, said the dangers of nicotine pouches are not fully understood because they are a new product.
“There are no safe tobacco products, including nicotine pouches. This is especially true for youth, young adults, and people who are pregnant,” Bevilacqua said.
Early data suggest that nicotine pouches can cause side effects like mouth irritation, nausea and increased heart rate. The long-term health impacts are not fully understood, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues warnings about using synthetic nicotine products regularly.
A study from Johns Hopkins University indicated that repetitive use of nicotine pouches might lead to gum damage or recession, particularly if placed in the same area of the mouth over time.
“I assume that there’s a possibility of damaging your gums, which I justify in ‘I’d rather damage my gums rather than my lungs,’” the St. Joe’s student said.
There’s also the danger of addiction.
“Using nicotine during adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention,
learning, mood and impulse control. Adolescents who use nicotine may be at increased risk for future addiction to other drugs,” Bevilacqua said.
Dawkins said a lot of customers start buying Zyns after trying to quit their addiction to vaping and smoking cigarettes.
“It’s a lot more people coming from vapes trying to quit it, but probably because they quit cigarettes going [to] the vapes,” Dawkins said. “It’s a pipeline that will never end.”
Nicotine dependency can lead to mood changes, irritability and withdrawal symptoms. The FDA has expressed concern over the lack of comprehensive data on synthetic nicotine products, warning that the long-term impacts on physical health, particularly in young users, are still unknown.
In a Jan. 16 news release, the FDA authorized marketing 20 different Zyn products after concluding they had greater benefits — particularly in helping adults quit or cut back on more harmful nicotine products — than risks to the population. While youth consumption of nicotine pouches remains low, the FDA announced they would continue to monitor it.
In their release, the FDA also stated that marketing authorization does not mean Zyn products are considered safe or ‘FDA approved,’ and that the FDA would continue to study Zyn’s marketing and usage.
The anonymous student said there are also health risks associated with other common behaviors on college campuses, like binge drinking, but that they don’t negate the potential risks of using nicotine.
“When you’re using any nicotine product, you have to weigh the cost-benefit analysis to see if you’re willing to do it,” the student said.
