Zyn Pouches
Hey there, parents!
You’ve probably heard about the dangers of vaping. But there’s a new trend among teens that’s causing alarm: Zyn.
These little nicotine pouches are getting some attention on social media with "zynfluencers" posting videos using the product and promoting them on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
But how popular are they?
Teens are taking notice. About 1.5% of middle and high school students reported using nicotine pouches, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey. E-cigarettes (vaping) is still the most common form of of nicotine consumption for teens with more than 2.1 million youth currently using e-cigarettes (10% of high school students and 4.6% of middle school students, with more than 1 in 4 of those using e-cigs daily).
Nicotine pouch sales are booming in the United States, with Zyn leading the pack. Philip Morris International, Zyn's parent company, says it has seen "better-than-expected" growth in the product and expects it to drive double-digit net revenue from 2024 to 2026.
This has caught the attention the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate Zyn, saying that these nicotine pouches are potentially dangerous to teens who are using them instead of vapes and cigarettes.
Zyn is just one brand of nicotine pouches. They're small packets of powdered nicotine that you put in your mouth, usually tucked between the area of the lip and the gums, where the nicotine can be easily absorbed through the oral mucosa. Some are flavored, like mint or mango, depending on the brand. More and more teens are using Zyn to consume nicotine. Other brands include On!, Velo, Fre, Rogue and more.
As parents, we might not realize how harmful nicotine can be, especially for teenagers. The adolescent brain is still developing, and nicotine can interfere with this process. It can lead to lasting effects on attention and learning.
Here are some key things to know:
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Addiction: Teens are more likely to become addicted to nicotine than adults. Nicotine can also make symptoms of depression and anxiety worse in teens.
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Brain Development: Nicotine can interfere with brain development in teens, affecting attention and learning.
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Cardiovascular Disease: Nicotine increases heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular issues over time.
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Oral Health: Nicotine can also affect oral health, potentially leading to gum disease.
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Influencers: Influencers, including public figures like Tucker Carlson, are promoting nicotine pouches, which can influence teenagers.
So what now? How do you talk to your teen about nicotine pouches and — more importantly! — stop them from using the product?
The Partnership to End Addiction has several tips, paraphrased below:
- Stay up to date on the latest trends in nicotine products, so you know what they look like and how they are used.
- Model healthy behavior by not using or condoning the use of any nicotine products.
- Have honest, regular conversations about nicotine, other substances, and their health risks.
- Try a tone of curiosity when bringing it up.
- Convey that you'd like them not to use these products because they are dangerous and you may monitor their activities and intervene when necessary, in a health-promoting way.
- Be open and let your kids know they can come to you for help if they are struggling and possibly using nicotine or other substances to cope.
- Know about the factors that can increase your child’s risk of using nicotine products, such as mental health issues, and address these early with the help of a qualified health professional.
If you suspect your child is using Zyn nicotine pouches or other addictive substances, call the Partnership to End Addiction’s free helpline at 855-378-4373 or visit their website for more resources HERE.
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