ZYN ignites excitement as the new smoke-free phenomenon
CIGARETTE smoking is an archaic practice. Where it once used to be the epitome of ‘cool’, it is now common knowledge that it is dangerous to your health and anyone smoking should quit for their own benefit.
What makes smoking so dangerous? According to several scientific studies, it’s the smoke produced by the process of burning the blunt tip of cigarettes that is the source of several deadly chemicals. Indeed, nicotine - the active stimulant in tobacco products - is not the cause of smoking-related illnesses that plague our modern world.
This knowledge has paved the way for the introduction of ZYN, a tobacco-free oral nicotine product. This nicotine pouch brand has captured the attention of consumers across the United States. With no smoke or vapor emissions, it offers a cleaner alternative to traditional smoking methods, making it popular among those seeking a hygienic nicotine fix.
ZYN’s innovative nicotine delivery system sets it apart, offering a discreet method of nicotine absorption. Hailing from the smoke-free portfolio of Philip Morris International, ZYN comes in round tins with 15-20 pouches. Each pouch has nicotine housed in a permeable wrapper absorbed through the gums and mouth. It’s placed between the upper lip and the gum. Because there’s no burning, it reduces the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke and does away with mouth and teeth stains.
The endorsement of ZYN by experts like former U.S. FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb underscores its potential to reduce harm. With more than 28 million Americans continuing to smoke, Dr. Gottlieb emphasized the need to shift smokers to safer alternatives, highlighting the health benefits of smoke-free products.
He said, “We need to restart the conversation around harm reduction in this country. While nicotine is not a completely safe substance, it isn’t what causes death and disease from tobacco. It’s the product of combustion. And if we can convert currently addicted adult smokers onto these modified risk products that don’t have all the harms associated with combustion, we can achieve net public health benefit.”
Renowned local experts like Dr. Rogelio Varela Jr. also see promise in nicotine pouches, citing their role in harm reduction strategies.
“We can learn by example from the success of snus in Sweden. Nicotine pouches can be a vital tool in our arsenal to save smokers from the grip of addiction and its associated harms. The evidence from Sweden shows that transitioning to smokeless alternatives can significantly reduce smokingrelated diseases and mortality rates. This is not just a pragmatic approach but also a compassionate one, offering smokers a lifeline to a healthier future.”
Dr. Lorenzo Mata of consumers’ rights group Quit for Good also pushed for the recognition of nicotine pouches as a vital strategy to save Filipino smokers’ lives. “Oral nicotine is a promising avenue for smokers who want a safer alternative. While there are still risks associated with nicotine, the absence of harmful combustion byproducts significantly reduces the health risks associated with traditional smoking. We should continue to explore and advocate for innovative solutions like nicotine pouches to improve public health outcomes and save lives.”
The introduction of ZYN pouches in the Philippines presents a significant opportunity for public health improvement. Since November 2023, ZYN has become locally available online and in IQOS stores, vape stores, some select 7-11 outlets, and tobacconists.
The success of ZYN mirrors that of snus in Sweden, where smokeless alternatives have significantly reduced smokingrelated diseases and mortality rates. This success story inspires hope for similar outcomes with nicotine pouches.