What is Zyn (and other Oral Nicotine Pouches)?

What is Zyn?

Zyn, On! and Velo are oral nicotine pouches. Oral nicotine pouches are a type of tobacco product that is placed between the gum and cheek or lip. The pouches deliver nicotine through the lining of the mouth to the bloodstream. The pouch is not swallowed. They come in several flavors.

Who makes Zyn?

Big Tobacco makes and sells Zyn, On!, and Velo, among other products. Zyn is manufactured by Swedish Match, a tobacco company that makes chewing tobacco, cigars, and snus. Swedish Match is owned by Phillip Morris International, one of the biggest tobacco companies in the world.

How are products like Zyn different from nicotine replacement therapy, like nicotine lozenges?

Zyn is not the same as medicinal nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). NRT are medications that are FDA-approved and regulated. The goal of NRT is to help you quit nicotine products for good. Zyn is marketed by Big Tobacco as a recreational kind of nicotine and is designed to keep people addicted.

Decades of research have found that NRT is effective for quitting and safe to use long-term. Nicotine pouches like Zyn are NOT approved by the FDA as quitting medications. Zyn is not regulated like NRT is.

What are the long-term health effects of Zyn?

Nicotine is very addictive and is especially harmful to young people. The long-term health effects of nicotine pouches like Zyn are unknown because they are a new product.

Can I become addicted to Zyn?

Yes, you can get addicted to Zyn. Zyn contains high levels of nicotine (between 3 and 6 mg per pouch).

Many people find they use Zyn a lot because they can use it anywhere, anytime. The ease of use and high nicotine content can result in higher levels of nicotine consumption than many Zyn users originally wanted or intended.

As you use nicotine, your brain develops nicotine receptors. The more nicotine you use, the harder it becomes to quit. These nicotine receptors get “angry” the longer you go without nicotine. This causes withdrawal symptoms like cravings, feeling irritated or sad, and having trouble sleeping and concentrating when you haven’t used it for a while.

Thinking about quitting Zyn?

Read on to find out how to make quitting Zyn easier.