In the digital-first world we live in today, trends live and die on social media. Cigarette smoking is one such practice that has long fallen off the wayside in both the physical world and online.
But nicotine, the stimulant found in cigarettes and other tobacco products like vapes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), has managed to hang on in the cultural landscape. How is that possible?
Though nicotine is addictive and certainly not free from risks, studies have shown that it is not directly responsible for smoking-related ailments.
The operative word is burning and the resulting smoke. There are nicotine products out on the market that do not combust, and therefore they do not carry it with the smoke that contains thousands of deadly toxins. With the emergence of smokeless nicotine consumption, a new craze is sweeping across the United States – and may soon reach our shores.
Nicotine pouches, a tobacco-free oral nicotine product epitomized by the popular brand ZYN, offer a cleaner, more hygienic alternative to traditional smoking.
At the heart of ZYN’s appeal lies its innovative nicotine delivery system. Manufactured by Philip Morris International, ZYN, contained in round tins with 15-20 pouches per tin, offer a convenient and discreet method of nicotine absorption. These are placed between the upper lip and the gum. By eliminating combustion, ZYN pouches mitigate the harmful effects associated with smoking such as the deadly chemicals found in cigarette smoke and teeth staining, presenting a better alternative for consumers.
The introduction of nicotine pouches in the Philippines presents a golden opportunity for public health improvement, according to local doctors. Since November 2023, ZYN has become locally available online and in IQOS stores, vape stores, some select 7-11 outlets and tobacconists, offering smokers a lifeline.
“Nicotine pouches can be a vital tool in our arsenal to save smokers from the grip of addiction and its associated harms,” emphasizes renowned Filipino urologic surgeon Dr. Rogelio Varela Jr., highlighting the potential of these products in harm reduction strategies.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Lorenzo Mata of consumers’ rights group Quit for Good advocates for nicotine pouches as a promising avenue for smokers seeking safer alternatives. “The absence of harmful combustion byproducts significantly reduces the health risks associated with traditional smoking,” Dr. Mata asserts.
International experts have underscored the potential of nicotine pouches as a harm-reduction tool for smokers. Former U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said, “While rates of smoking have come down in recent years, the rate of reduction has slowed down. And the way we’re going to make substantial inroads and reducing those numbers even further is trying to offer adult smokers products that don’t pose the same risks as cigarettes.”
Beyond its health benefits, ZYN has sparked a cultural phenomenon, garnering extensive coverage and earning praise from media outlets. “ZYNs aren’t just a product, they’re a subculture,” observes Vox Media.
Commenting on the market’s transformation, David Sweanor, an adjunct law professor at the University of Ottawa, notes the significant shift towards non-combustible nicotine products. “ZYN is now a bigger seller than other brands,” Sweanor observes, underscoring the brand’s dominance in the evolving nicotine market.
In the digital realm, ZYN’s popularity has soared. Social media channels like Tiktok have become avenues for enthusiasts of ZYN. The emergence of ZYN-specific jargon with hashtags like #ZYNfluencer reflects the brand’s cultural impact and popularity among consumers.
As debates surrounding ZYN rage on, its cultural influence remains undeniable, reshaping the landscape of nicotine consumption in the digital age.