Are ZYN nicotine pouches safer than smoking? FDA weighs in.

The maker of ZYN nicotine pouches can tell consumers its products are safer to use than cigarettes, the Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday .

Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscription

Get exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.

The agency has authorized Swedish Match USA, Inc, which is part of Philip Morris International, to say that 20 of its ZYN products “puts you at a lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis” than cigarettes.

It’s long been clear that burning tobacco in cigarettes is toxic and can cause cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. Nicotine is the substance in cigarettes that make them so addictive.

Nicotine pouches — which users tuck between their lip and gum and later discard — can contain as much as 6 milligrams of nicotine. They are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration as nicotine replacement products used to help quit smoking.

The change applies to select ZYN flavors, such as Cool Mint, Citrus, Coffee and Cinnamon, in both 3 milligram and 6 milligram strengths.

Fruity flavors known to be favored among kids, such as Black Cherry and Peach, are not included.

Last week, the FDA’s annual National Youth Tobacco Survey found that 1.7% middle and high school students reported using nicotine pouches in 2025, with more than 1 in 6 of those kids saying they used them every day. ZYN was the most popular nicotine pouch brand reported.

Mike Seilback, assistant vice president of nationwide advocacy and state public policy at the American Lung Association called the move “appalling.”

“The Lung Association calls on the FDA to reverse this action,” Seilback said in an emailed statement. “We must protect our children from a lifelong addition to nicotine.”

The FDA’s authorization requires Swedish Match USA to study how their customers perceive risks associated with their products for the next five years. It also stipulates that if the FDA sees evidence of significant increases in kids using the products, the agency could reverse course.