Nicotine & Tobacco
Combustible tobacco, vaping, smokeless products, and pouches. Still the deadliest legal drug.
Latest reporting
FDA Approved a True Claim About Zyn — Then Let the Industry Aim It at Kids Who Never Smoked
FDA authorized Zyn to claim it's 'lower risk' than cigarettes — a true statement for smokers that's landing in a market where teen pouch use has nearly quadrupled since 2022.
The FDA Just Approved Four More Nicotine Pouches. A Courtroom Is About to Ask If That Was a Mistake.
Thirty pouch products are now FDA-authorized. A December trial over ZYN's marketing is the first real test of whether authorization and safety are the same thing.
The FDA Approved Four More Nicotine Pouches This Week. Teen Use Already Nearly Quadrupled Without Them.
Nicotine pouch use among youth nearly quadrupled between 2022 and 2025. The same week that data circulated, the FDA authorized four more pouch products for market.
Through eight lenses
Science
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist; heterogeneous subtype effects.
The FDA Approved Cappuccino-Flavored Nicotine Pouches for Smokers. Teenagers Will Find Them First.
Aug 9Your Phone Can Already Predict Your Next Cigarette. Nobody's Built the App That Uses It.
Aug 8The FDA Killed Flavored Vapes and Approved Flavored Nicotine Pouches in the Same Six Weeks. Nicotine Didn't Get Safer. The Delivery Device Did.
Jul 17
Biology
Acute cardiovascular effects, chronic cardiovascular + cancer risk from combustion (not primarily nicotine), EVALI and vaping-associated lung injury history, nicotine-only harm profile.
The FDA Approved Four More Nicotine Pouches This Week. Teen Use Already Nearly Quadrupled Without Them.
Aug 10The FDA Said Flavors Were the Problem in 2020. In 2026, It Approved Four More.
Aug 6The FDA Just Let ZYN Say It's Safer Than Cigarettes. The Brain Circuit That Makes That Technically True Is Also Why Quitting Nicotine Pouches Is Its Own Fight.
Jul 7
Psychology
Rapid dependence, highest relapse rates of any SUD.
Policy
FDA CTP, T21, flavor bans, SynZonic/Zyn scrutiny.
FDA Approved a True Claim About Zyn — Then Let the Industry Aim It at Kids Who Never Smoked
Aug 16The FDA Just Approved Four More Nicotine Pouches. A Courtroom Is About to Ask If That Was a Mistake.
Aug 11The FDA Approved Four More Nicotine Pouches This Week. Teen Use Already Nearly Quadrupled Without Them.
Aug 10
Trends
Youth vaping declining overall, pouches rising fast, combustibles at historic lows.
FDA Approved a True Claim About Zyn — Then Let the Industry Aim It at Kids Who Never Smoked
Aug 16The FDA Approved Four More Nicotine Pouches This Week. Teen Use Already Nearly Quadrupled Without Them.
Aug 10Nicotine Pouches Didn't Slip Past Public Health. They Got Rebranded as Self-Optimization
Jul 27
Treatment
FDA-approved — varenicline, bupropion, NRT (patch/gum/lozenge/inhaler/nasal spray).
Harm Reduction
Step-down, combination NRT, vape-to-quit (controversial but supported by some evidence).