Nicotine Pouches May Be “Lower Risk.” But How Safe Are They Really?

You Should Know: Zyn, the most popular brand of nicotine pouches, just got FDA authorization to market certain products as lower risk for mouth cancer, heart disease, and several other smoking-related conditions than traditional cigarettes. Because these pouches sit against blood vessel-rich tissue in your mouth, they skip the smoke and burning tobacco leaf that make cigarettes so damaging.

Going Deeper: While the pouches are an improvement over cigarettes, health-wise, they aren’t without risk. Dentists are seeing gum irritation and tissue damage where pouches sit, and some patients even require biopsies in these areas. Researchers still don’t know how these products affect your heart or gut over time. And while national surveys show teen use remains relatively low, a major study found that lifetime pouch use among 12th-graders rose from 7% to 10% in just one year.

Takeaway: The same features that make pouches appealing, like being discreet and easy to use, are exactly what worry experts about a new generation getting hooked. So if you’re nicotine-free, it’s best to stay that way.

Bottom Line: Pouches may cut some risks for people already smoking, but they’re not harmless.