What to know about quitting Zyn

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Emerging Tobacco Products

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RELATED MATERIALS

Can oral nicotine pouches like Zyn help people quit vaping nicotine?

What is Zyn and what are oral nicotine pouches?

As oral nicotine pouches from brands like Zyn, On!, Velo, and Rogue become more widespread, people are raising questions about the risk of nicotine addiction and how to quit using pouches, as well as whether pouches can help people quit smoking or vaping.

EX Program, a free digital quitting program from Truth Initiative and Mayo Clinic, has answers and resources to help people quit using nicotine pouches. Here are some frequently asked questions and tips for quitting nicotine pouches for good.

Are nicotine pouches addictive?

Nicotine concentrations differ across pouch brands, but all pouches contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance. For young people, nicotine use can harm the developing brain and make them more susceptible to addiction later in life. Nicotine addiction can also increase stress and intensify symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Can nicotine pouches help people quit smoking or vaping?

Only 26 oral nicotine pouch products have been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but no pouch products have been approved as a tool for quitting nicotine. Nicotine pouches can contain high concentrations of nicotine, which can put users at risk of nicotine addiction and can make quitting more challenging. For these reasons, using oral nicotine pouches like Zyn is not a recommended way to quit nicotine.

Are pouches the same as nicotine replacement therapy?

Oral nicotine pouches are not the same as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) like nicotine lozenges or gum. NRT includes medications that are approved and regulated by the FDA. Decades of research, as well as a 2020 report from the Surgeon General, confirm that NRT is safe to use (even long-term) and is an effective way to quit tobacco products for good.

Five tips for quitting nicotine pouches:

Switch to a lower strength product: People using 6mg or 9mg pouches should transition to 3mg pouches to ease into quitting and minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Practice mini-quits: Successful quitting is all about building skills to manage cravings and triggers. Users can build confidence by doing a mini-quit or skipping a pouch they would normally have.
Find a distraction: Learn to acknowledge cravings when they occur and find what works best as a distraction. Many people exercise, walk, do a few chores, call a friend, or practice a hobby – and in five minutes, the craving passes.
Try nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): NRT, such as nicotine gum, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help people quit nicotine. Oral nicotine pouches like Zyn are not similarly approved and regulated, and their high nicotine concentrations can leave users just as addicted.
Sign up for EX Program: People interested in quitting nicotine can text EXPROGRAM to 88709 to join a community of quitters for free.

Quitting Zyn with EX Program

People quitting Zyn or any tobacco or nicotine product can get support through EX Program, a free digital quitting resource by Truth Initiative and Mayo Clinic.

Quitting Zyn and other oral nicotine pouches

EX Program provides a personalized quit plan, advice and tips from Mayo Clinic experts, interactive text message support, and can increase the odds of quitting by up to 40%. Users can select pouches as their primary product or indicate pouch use along with smoking and/or vaping for personalized support. Users can also browse posts and seek advice for free in the EX Community, the most established online community of people quitting nicotine.

EX Program also partners with content creators to build a culture of quitting and normalize the journey to live free from nicotine addiction. Hyram, an influencer known for his skincare videos, announced his goal to quit nicotine (including pouches) in December following a months-long journey to quit vaping. People can follow his journey on TikTok and YouTube at @Hyram.

Hyram is the newest member of Truth Initiative’s Quit Collective, a group of influencers and content creators sharing their experience quitting nicotine. Other creators include Imari, a well-known LGBTQ+ creator; Cole, a blogger who documents his journey to quit vaping while navigating life as a trans individual and dealing with his parents’ divorce; and Gaby, a lifestyle creator who pledges to her viewers that if she can quit nicotine, anyone can.