I-Team: FDA reviews Zyn risk claim

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) - Nicotine pouches are gaining popularity.

Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing whether certain ZYN products can legally be marketed as potentially reducing harm compared to cigarettes.

That does not mean they are considered safe.

Swedish Match, the maker of ZYN, has applied for what’s called a Modified Risk Tobacco Product order.

Under federal law, the FDA can only grant that order if the company proves the product significantly reduces harm to individual users and benefits public health overall.

That includes people who don’t currently use tobacco.

For adults who already smoke, health experts say there is a distinction.

“We're looking at adults who are currently smoking or using other more harmful nicotine substances, cigars, pipes, you know, cigarets, stuff like that, then yeah, it is definitely safer,” said Thomas Brazeal, PharmD, APh, BCACP, Associate Director of Technology & Process, Population Health & Prescription Management.

Cigarettes burn tobacco, creating cancer-causing toxins. Nicotine pouches do not involve combustion.

“The most concerning thing is the cancer, but if we can eliminate the harmful effects it's having on your lungs, looking at the lesser of two evils, I'd much rather have someone that is using a ZYN versus smoking because there's also the idea of second hand smoke,” Brazeal said.

However, nicotine remains highly addictive.

Even nicotine pouches that are authorized for sale in the United States are not considered safe and are not FDA approved.

If adults use pouches to move away from smoking and eventually quit, experts say that can reduce harm.

The FDA says it will review scientific evidence and public comments before making a final decision on whether to allow those modified-risk marketing claims.