The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday authorized marketing of 20 nicotine pouches — the first time the products have been greenlit by the agency.
Nicotine pouches are tobacco-free sachets filled with nicotine and flavorings that are held between the gums and lips similar to snus, another smokeless tobacco product. Proponents of the pouches argue that they are a less harmful alternative to smoking and other tobacco products, while some public health experts worry about other health consequences related to nicotine, especially on youth.
The FDA authorized the 20 Zyn products under a premarket tobacco product application process granted under a 2009 tobacco control law. Because Zyn includes nicotine, it must abide by the same regulatory process as a tobacco product. Zyn is a subsidiary of Philip Morris International.
