Nicotine & Tobacco
Combustible tobacco, vaping, smokeless products, and pouches. Still the deadliest legal drug.
Latest reporting
The FDA Just Cleared a New JUUL. That Makes 48 Approved Vapes — and Zero Approved Meth Medications.
The FDA authorized JUUL2's tobacco- and menthol-flavored pods this week, bringing the total to 48 authorized e-cigarette products. Public health groups are asking the same question they asked in 2019.
The FDA Keeps Approving Nicotine Pouches Faster Than It Can Explain Why Teenagers Are the Ones Getting Hooked
Nicotine pouch sales nearly tripled in a year. The FDA is authorizing new products almost weekly while a state just taxed them at 75% wholesale — a regulatory system built for cigarettes trying to keep up with a market that changes faster than it can.
The FDA Just Let Nicotine Pouches Say 'Lower Risk.' Your Brain Will Hear 'Safe.'
The FDA authorized 'lower risk than cigarettes' marketing for specific Zyn pouches on Aug 5, 2026. Here's the psychology of why that claim helps an adult smoker and traps a nicotine-naive teenager — and the 'light cigarette' history that predicts exactly how.
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 Keeps Approving Nicotine Pouches Faster Than It Can Explain Why Teenagers Are the Ones Getting Hooked
Sep 5The 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 6
Psychology
Rapid dependence, highest relapse rates of any SUD.
Policy
FDA CTP, T21, flavor bans, SynZonic/Zyn scrutiny.
The FDA Just Cleared a New JUUL. That Makes 48 Approved Vapes — and Zero Approved Meth Medications.
Sep 9The FDA Keeps Approving Nicotine Pouches Faster Than It Can Explain Why Teenagers Are the Ones Getting Hooked
Sep 5The FDA Just Let Nicotine Pouches Say 'Lower Risk.' Your Brain Will Hear 'Safe.'
Aug 26
Trends
Youth vaping declining overall, pouches rising fast, combustibles at historic lows.
The FDA Just Cleared a New JUUL. That Makes 48 Approved Vapes — and Zero Approved Meth Medications.
Sep 9The FDA Keeps Approving Nicotine Pouches Faster Than It Can Explain Why Teenagers Are the Ones Getting Hooked
Sep 5FDA Approved a True Claim About Zyn — Then Let the Industry Aim It at Kids Who Never Smoked
Aug 16
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).