ZYN, also known as gum cigarettes, is becoming more popular among Gen Z in the US.
It comes in a round container with 15 refined pure nicotine pouches.
It is administrated through gum, lips, or cheek while the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream for 20 minutes to an hour. Unlike traditional cigarettes, ZYN does not produce smoke or smell, and at an average price of $5, it is more affordable than the $8 cigarettes. ZYN started gaining popularity among Gen Z in America through social media platforms such as TikTok. It is easy to find videos of people using ZYN regularly.
As such, it quickly gained traction, selling 340 million in 2023 alone.
However, no study has been done to gauge its side effects, and some worry that it may encourage teen smoking. While cigarette companies claim that ZYN has a lower risk of respiratory diseases, the evidence for its safety is unclear. Furthermore, nicotine is still an addictive chemical that can lead to dependency.
Lee Sung Kyu, the head of the Korean Tobacco Regulation Research and Education Center, explained on the YouTube video that “this product is nothing new as there were other nicotine pouch products in the past; and it is proven that nicotine pouches have about four times higher rate of oral cancer than regular cigarettes.” He further expressed concern that “The sweet flavors can increase the smoking rate among teenagers.”
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