In a move that’s sparking heated debates across the state, New York lawmakers have introduced a bill that would ban flavored nicotine pouches like ZYN. ZYN, a product approved by the FDA just last month, has quickly become one of the fastest-growing items in the U.S. tobacco market. But while some see it as a safer alternative to smoking, New York’s lawmakers believe it poses a significant risk, especially for teens who may find the sweet flavors irresistible.
The bill, spearheaded by New York State Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, has gained traction as part of the broader effort to curb the rise of nicotine products among underage users. Rosenthal, a longtime advocate for public health, believes that these flavored nicotine pouches could become just as attractive to young people as flavored vapes, which are already under close scrutiny in the state.
“You have to constantly monitor this industry because when we limit one avenue for teens to access nicotine, they always come up with new ways to hook them,” Rosenthal said in a statement last week. “This is about protecting our youth.”
ZYN and Its Rise in Popularity
ZYN nicotine pouches are part of a broader wave of products that offer smokers and nicotine users an alternative to traditional tobacco. These pouches, which are small, discreet, and come in a variety of flavors, are marketed as a cleaner and more controlled way to get nicotine. They don’t involve smoke, and the packaging makes it easy to carry and use them without drawing much attention. ZYN is manufactured by Swedish Match, a subsidiary of Philip Morris International, and it is positioned as a product aimed at adult smokers looking for a nicotine hit without the risks associated with smoking cigarettes or using vapes.
The pouches, which come in flavors like Wintergreen, Cool Mint, and Citrus, have quickly taken over a significant portion of the market. Swedish Match insists that their target demographic is strictly adults, particularly those over 21 who are either transitioning from smoking or seeking to avoid the harmful effects of smoking. In fact, the company has maintained that the majority of ZYN users are not new to nicotine but are simply switching from cigarettes or other tobacco products.
“Almost everyone using ZYN has switched from another nicotine product,” said Brian Erkila, Director of Regulatory Science at Swedish Match. “If you look at the flavors we offer, they’ve been around for decades in smokeless tobacco products like snuff and moist snuff. These aren’t ‘new’ flavors—they’ve been part of the market for a long time.”
However, the increasing popularity of these pouches among younger users has prompted concerns. Critics argue that the fun flavors—coupled with the easy-to-use, discrete packaging—are making nicotine more appealing to teenagers, who might be more likely to try these products without fully understanding the risks involved.
Lawmakers in New York Take Action
The push to ban flavored nicotine pouches in New York comes on the heels of the state’s successful implementation of a ban on flavored vapes. The goal was to reduce the appeal of these products to minors, but lawmakers fear that, as vapes become harder to access, teens might simply switch to nicotine pouches. State Senator Brad Hoylman-Siegel, who is also backing the bill, warned that the market shift could have unintended consequences.
“Thanks to the state’s ban on flavored vapes, it’s become much harder for minors to access these products. But that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped looking for alternatives,” Hoylman-Siegel said in a statement. “We’ve seen a rise in the use of flavored nicotine pouches, and we can’t afford to let this market take off unchecked.”
The bill proposes a statewide ban on flavored nicotine pouches, much like the state’s existing ban on flavored vapes. If passed, the law would make it illegal to sell flavored nicotine pouches like ZYN within New York’s borders, which would likely deal a serious blow to the product’s availability in the state.
Critics of the Ban: Is This the Right Approach?
Despite the well-meaning intentions behind the proposed legislation, there are plenty of critics who argue that this bill could end up doing more harm than good. Some public health experts, such as Professor Alan Matias from Cornell University, argue that a ban could push nicotine users toward illegal or unregulated products, which would be even harder to monitor and control. Matias, an expert in tobacco regulatory economics, also raised concerns that banning flavored nicotine pouches could create a black market, which would likely make it even more difficult to keep track of underage use.
“This is short-sighted,” said Matias in an interview. “If you ban these products outright, you’ll likely push them into the hands of people who are already using nicotine, including teens who might end up using unregulated, potentially dangerous products. The reality is that these pouches are far safer than smoking traditional cigarettes, and for many adults, they’ve been a valuable tool in reducing harm.”
Matias also emphasized that many adults who have used cigarettes for years, particularly those who prefer menthol cigarettes, are finding ZYN’s flavors—like menthol and wintergreen—helpful in their effort to quit smoking. He argued that the ban could disproportionately affect these adults, many of whom are trying to transition away from harmful tobacco products.
“Menthol smokers, in particular, find that flavors help them quit smoking,” he said. “If you take away that option, you might make it harder for these people to kick the habit.”
Is the Product Really That Attractive to Teens?
One of the primary concerns driving the bill is the idea that flavored nicotine pouches are an entry point for young people to begin using nicotine. However, research on whether flavored products actually drive teen smoking or vaping habits is still mixed. While some studies suggest that flavored products—whether vapes or pouches—are more appealing to younger users, other experts believe that the root cause of teen nicotine use is more complicated.
“Nicotine is addictive, and young people are naturally curious,” said Dr. Alice Green, a public health expert and advocate for harm reduction. “Banning flavors may address one part of the problem, but it doesn’t address the broader issue of nicotine addiction. We need a more comprehensive approach that includes education and access to cessation programs, especially for teens.”
There’s also the argument that adult smokers who switch to these flavored pouches may be reducing their risk of harm. Many see ZYN and similar products as a less risky alternative to smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products. Some experts argue that by focusing solely on the potential appeal to teens, lawmakers might be neglecting the benefits for adults who are using these products to reduce their nicotine intake in a safer manner.
The Bottom Line: Is This a Knee-Jerk Reaction?
At the end of the day, the debate over flavored nicotine pouches like ZYN comes down to a question of balance. Lawmakers in New York are grappling with a tricky issue: how to protect teens from nicotine addiction while still allowing adults who use these products to continue doing so in a safer manner. The proposed ban reflects growing concern over the rising use of nicotine among young people, but it may also unintentionally create new problems—like driving consumers to the black market or making it harder for adults to quit smoking.
As this debate continues to unfold, the larger question remains: Are we truly protecting young people from harm, or are we taking actions that will end up making the problem worse?
Only time will tell. But for now, New York’s lawmakers are pushing ahead with a plan that could significantly change the state’s nicotine landscape. Whether it’s the right solution—or a misstep—remains to be seen.
