Zyn nicotine pouches: The latest challenge for Oregon schools battling teen addiction

Editor’s Note: On January 16, 2025 the FDA authorized “marketing of 20 ZYN Nicotine Pouch Products after extensive scientific review. The agency will closely monitor youth use and the company’s compliance with marketing restrictions.” Click here to read more on this.

Our original story from September 2024 included a quote from the Deputy State Health Officer at the Oregon Health Authority incorrectly stating that ZYN nicotine pouches are “synthetic tobacco.” According to Philip Morris International, which produces ZYN, the pouches are pharmaceutical grade nicotine derived from tobacco. It is not synthetic. ZYN nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco leaf.

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PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - As the new school year begins, parents have a new concern on their radar: a nicotine product called Zyn.

This small, seemingly innocuous pouch is quickly becoming popular among teens, raising alarms among educators and health professionals alike.

A Shift in Nicotine Trends

While cigarette use among teens has significantly declined since the late 1990s, with only 3% of 11th graders in Oregon reportedly smoking cigarettes, the battle against nicotine addiction is far from over. The threat has simply evolved, moving away from traditional tobacco products and toward new alternatives like Zyn.

Zyn is a small, white pouch filled with nicotine powder. Users place the pouch between their lip and gums, allowing the nicotine to be absorbed into the bloodstream without the need to chew, making it a more discreet option than traditional chewing tobacco. Dr. Tom Jeanne, Deputy State Health Officer at the Oregon Health Authority, explains that while Zyn could be a viable option for adults trying to quit smoking, it poses a significant risk to young users. He points out that Oregon’s current laws don’t address synthetic nicotine products, allowing retailers to sell these highly addictive pouches to anyone under 21 legally.

“It’s a loophole in our current laws,” Dr. Jeanne says. “The nicotine in these products is synthetic, but it’s the same chemical as in tobacco-derived products and just as addictive.”

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The FDA’s Role in Regulation

Despite the gaps in Oregon’s laws, the FDA has taken steps to ensure that retailers across the country do not sell nicotine products to underage buyers. By employing underage individuals to attempt purchases, the agency has caught 22 stores in Portland alone selling Zyn to teens this year.

Swedish Match, the company behind Zyn, insists that they are committed to keeping their products out of the hands of minors. In a statement, the company said, “Manufacturers, regulators, retailers, and social media platforms must work together to ensure these products are only used by people over 21, and we believe we’re doing our part to achieve that.”

Despite these assurances, the popularity of nicotine pouches continues to rise. After years of declining cigarette sales, Philip Morris purchased Zyn for $16 billion in 2022, reflecting the growing demand among traditional tobacco users.

The Challenge for Schools

Zyn pouches, which come in flavors like citrus, cool mint, and cinnamon, are particularly appealing to younger audiences. Mary Stevens Crow, the Coordinator of Substance Use Supports at Portland Public Schools, highlights the challenge of addressing this new trend.

Stevens Crow notes that the district has adapted its policies to treat all substances, including nicotine, under a single unified approach. “We need to trust young people to have the information and make informed choices,” she says. The district’s prevention strategies have evolved from the days of “Just Say No” to providing students with more comprehensive education about the risks of nicotine and other substances.

In 2022, 13% of Oregon’s 11th graders reported using nicotine, down from a peak of 23% who used e-cigarettes in 2019. Stevens Crow emphasizes the importance of delaying the onset of substance use as a key factor in reducing the likelihood of addiction in adulthood.

As the new school year begins, parents have a new concern on their radar: a nicotine product called Zyn. This small, seemingly innocuous pouch is quickly becoming popular among teens, raising alarms among educators and health professionals alike.

A Shift in Nicotine Trends

While cigarette use among teens has significantly declined since the late 1990s, with only 3% of 11th graders in Oregon reportedly smoking cigarettes, the battle against nicotine addiction is far from over. The threat has simply evolved, moving away from traditional tobacco products and toward new alternatives like Zyn.

Zyn is a small, white pouch filled with nicotine powder. Users place the pouch between their lip and gums, allowing the nicotine to be absorbed into the bloodstream without the need to chew, making it a more discreet option than traditional chewing tobacco. Dr. Tom Jeanne, Deputy State Health Officer at the Oregon Health Authority, explains that while Zyn could be a viable option for adults trying to quit smoking, it poses a significant risk to young users. He points out that Oregon’s current laws don’t address synthetic nicotine products, allowing retailers to legally sell these highly addictive pouches to anyone under 21.

“It’s a loophole in our current laws,” Dr. Jeanne says. “The nicotine in these products is synthetic, but it’s the same chemical as in tobacco-derived products and just as addictive.”

The FDA’s Role in Regulation

Despite the gaps in Oregon’s laws, the FDA has taken steps to ensure that retailers across the country do not sell nicotine products to underage buyers. By employing underage individuals to attempt purchases, the agency has caught 22 stores in Portland alone selling Zyn to teens this year.

Swedish Match, the company behind Zyn, insists that they are committed to keeping their products out of the hands of minors. In a statement, the company said, “Manufacturers, regulators, retailers, and social media platforms must work together to ensure these products are only used by people over 21, and we believe we’re doing our part to achieve that.”

Despite these assurances, the popularity of nicotine pouches continues to rise. After years of declining cigarette sales, Philip Morris purchased Zyn for $16 billion in 2022, reflecting the growing demand among traditional tobacco users.

The Challenge for Schools

Zyn pouches, which come in flavors like citrus, cool mint, and cinnamon, are particularly appealing to younger audiences. Mary Stevens Crow, the Coordinator of Substance Use Supports at Portland Public Schools, highlights the challenge of addressing this new trend.

Stevens Crow notes that the district has adapted its policies to treat all substances, including nicotine, under a single unified approach. “We need to trust young people to have the information and make informed choices,” she says. The district’s prevention strategies have evolved from the days of “Just Say No” to providing students with more comprehensive education about the risks of nicotine and other substances.

In 2022, 13% of Oregon’s 11th graders reported using nicotine, down from a peak of 23% who used e-cigarettes in 2019. Stevens Crow emphasizes the importance of delaying the onset of substance use as a key factor in reducing the likelihood of addiction in adulthood.

A Focus on Prevention and Intervention

While prevention is the ultimate goal, Portland Public Schools acknowledges that some students may still fall into nicotine addiction. For those caught repeatedly with substances, the district prioritizes intervention over punishment. Rather than suspending students, the schools work closely with families and community organizations to provide support and resources to help break the cycle of addiction.

As the popularity of Zyn continues to rise, schools and parents must stay vigilant in educating and supporting young people to make healthy choices, keeping nicotine out of their hands and setting them up for a successful future.

SEE ALSO:

A Focus on Prevention and Intervention

While prevention is the ultimate goal, Portland Public Schools acknowledges that some students may still fall into nicotine addiction. For those caught repeatedly with substances, the district prioritizes intervention over punishment. Rather than suspending students, the schools work closely with families and community organizations to provide support and resources to help break the cycle of addiction.

As the popularity of Zyn continues to rise, schools and parents must stay vigilant in educating and supporting young people to make healthy choices, keeping nicotine out of their hands and setting them up for a successful future.