Zyn is one of several brands of dissolvable nicotine pouches available on the market to help people quit smoking tobacco. These products are meant to be placed inside the mouth, between the upper lip and gum, for cessation purposes.

Zyn, specifically, is owned by a Swedish subsidiary of Philip Morris International, a tobacco company. These pouches have become more popular in the last 2 years, thanks partly to social media posts.

Like vaping products, they come in various flavors. While they’re marketed for adults 21 and over, there’s concern that younger people are using them.

Nicotine pouches may have a lower nicotine content than cigarettes, but they have some risks. This may include a risk of oral cancers, though more research is needed.

Smokeless tobacco products like dip and chew have been known to contain dozens of carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals. Among these, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) pose a significant cancer risk. Different products contain different amounts of TSNAs.

Additionally, many smokeless tobacco products contain some amounts of materials that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has labeled as Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHCs), even if they do not contain TSNAs.

One 2022 study of 44 nicotine pouch products and two nicotine-free pouches found that 26 of the samples contained TSNAs. It noted that 29 of the products did not clearly state how much nicotine they contained or gave vague descriptions about their content.

Nicotine itself does not cause cancer. But because nicotine pouches like Zyn are so new, more research is needed to determine their specific risk for cancer, and mouth cancer, specifically.

Because Zyn and other nicotine pouches do contain some nicotine, they pose a risk of dependence, especially in young people and people who do not already smoke or vape tobacco.

Research shows that the nicotine levels in these types of pouches are higher than those of medically prescribed drugs used to help people quit smoking, such as nicotine replacement therapy.

These products may sometimes be marked as tobacco-free because they do not contain tobacco leaf. Instead, they contain other parts of the tobacco plant or nicotine developed in a laboratory.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there’s little difference between tobacco-derived and synthetic nicotine.

Nicotine pouch (like all nicotine) use can cause increased heart rate and blood pressure, which may lead to:

  • hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • heart disease
  • heart attacks

Because of these risks, the American Heart Association does not recommend the use of smokeless tobacco as an alternative to cigarette smoking or as a smoking cessation product.

Additionally, Zyn and similar nicotine pouches may cause oral problems from continuous exposure to nicotine and ingredients like artificial flavorings and sweeteners, leading to

  • mouth sores and gum irritation
  • inflammation, redness, and swelling
  • mouth ulcers

Over time, these can lead to gum recession and risk of cavities.

Older smokeless tobacco products have been associated with numerous health side effects, such as:

Neither the FDA nor CDC has approved the use of nicotine pouches like Zyn for smoking cessation. The nicotine they contain is not safe for youths, non-smokers, or pregnant people.

If you smoke cigarettes and are trying to quit, speak with a doctor who can build a cessation plan that works for you.

If you don’t smoke or use tobacco products, these products are considered dangerous to many aspects of your health.