Not entirely. Nicotine is an addictive stimulant and is not risk-free.

Combustible cigarettes deliver nicotine alongside hundreds of harmful chemicals, many of which cause cancer. The harmful chemicals released in combustible tobacco make smoking the leading preventable cause of death worldwide.

Nicotine pouches contain nicotine and flavorings. Global health authorities, including the FDA, have concluded that nicotine pouches are significantly less risky than cigarettes.

What exactly did the FDA authorize?

The approved language is precise:

“Using ZYN instead of cigarettes puts you at a lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.”

This is the first time a nicotine pouch has been cleared to use this kind of language—although notably, the language only applies to the 20 pouches listed in the decision.

The FDA had previously authorized Swedish Match’s General-brand snus, which are pouches containing ground tobacco, to use nearly identical wording. Separately, it has also allowed certain heated tobacco products to make narrower claims about reduced exposure to harmful chemicals.

What is tobacco harm reduction?

Tobacco harm reduction is a life-saving public health strategy for people who cannot or will not quit smoking combustible cigarettes using traditional methods like nicotine replacement therapy or pharmaceutical interventions.

For an adult who smokes, switching entirely to nicotine pouches or other less risky nicotine products is a form of tobacco harm reduction.

However, youth must be protected from nicotine addiction and therefore should not be able to access or use pouches or any other form of nicotine.

Are pouches like ZYN a good way to quit smoking?

There’s no right way to quit smoking—the best way is the one that works for you.

Global Action supports all adults who smoke. Learn more about the many solutions that can work for you.