Nicotine pouches, particularly the Zyn brand, have become a staple among top Trump administration officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The trend has even drawn the attention of President Donald Trump, who does not smoke or drink, prompting him to call Kennedy for more information after a meeting with tobacco executives.
Following that meeting, the Food and Drug Administration announced a new policy allowing wider sale of Zyn pouches without full scientific authorization. White House spokesperson Kush Desai stated that the policy is based on evidence that nicotine pouches can help adults quit smoking. Zyn, manufactured by Philip Morris International, has seen its market share soar from 4 percent to 44 percent of the oral tobacco and nicotine market by 2024.
Advocates argue that the tobacco-free pouches deliver nicotine without the cancer risks of cigarettes, but public health experts warn of cardiovascular risks and potential dangers for young people. The pouches have gained a following in the Trump administration, with officials stockpiling them for international trips. Kennedy has endorsed the products as “probably the safest way to consume nicotine,” and was seen using one during a confirmation hearing.
General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that U.S. service members in the Iran war consume large amounts of nicotine, though he did not specify the form. A viral photo of a fighter pilot with a Zyn container in the cockpit garnered over 12 million views on X. Tucker Carlson, who promoted Zyn on a podcast in 2023, later launched his own nicotine brand, Alp.
The FDA's new policy allows more Zyn containers to reach store shelves as long as manufacturers have submitted applications for approval. Former FDA regulator Mitch Zeller acknowledged the potential benefits for smokers but warned of the appeal to children. Some studies indicate that the long-term health risks of nicotine pouches remain poorly understood, with harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and chromium detected in some products.
