Nicotine & Tobacco
Combustible tobacco, vaping, smokeless products, and pouches. Still the deadliest legal drug.
Latest reporting
The FDA Says Zyn Is Safer Than a Cigarette. It Left the Hard Part Off the Label.
The FDA's June 2026 modified-risk order lets 20 Zyn pouches claim lower disease risk than cigarettes. It says nothing about dependence, quitting, or the teenagers using the brand most.
The FDA Keeps Clearing Nicotine Pouches. The Writer Who Quit One Cold Turkey Saw Searchlights.
FDA has authorized 30 nicotine pouches. A first-person account of quitting one 15-pouch-a-day habit shows what the dependence actually feels like, and what providers can do about it this week.
The FDA Wants to Approve Vapes Faster. It Never Fixed Why Approving Them Slowly Wasn't Working.
The FDA is preparing to speed up vape and nicotine pouch authorizations. Harm reduction advocates and youth-health groups are both about to be unhappy with the same decision.
Through eight lenses
Science
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist; heterogeneous subtype effects.
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.
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).