The Rise of Zyn & Why People Get Addicted

Zyn is everywhere right now, from gas stations to social feeds, and it’s quickly become one of the most popular nicotine products in the country. The small, discreet pouches make it easy to use anytime, but that convenience also makes it easier to become dependent. Many people are now finding themselves hooked on Zyn and unsure how to stop. We’re diving into everything Zyn—how it permeated culture, became so popular, what it does to your body and health and how proven tools like NRT can help you quit instead.

What Is Zyn?

Zyn is a brand of oral nicotine pouches that has quickly grown in popularity. Each small pouch rests between your lip and gum, where the powder dissolves and nicotine is absorbed through the lining of your mouth. There’s no smoke, vapor, or tobacco leaf—just nicotine (from tobacco or made in a lab) and flavorings. Zyn comes in different strengths and flavors, with some varieties delivering large amounts of nicotine, a highly addictive substance. While the FDA has authorized the marketing of certain Zyn products after review, it’s important to know that nicotine pouches are not FDA-approved tools for quitting smoking or vaping.

The Rise of Zyn

In less than a decade, Zyn has gone from niche to mainstream. This rise has been fueled by convenience, flavors, and marketing that frames Zyn as a modern alternative to smoking or vaping.

But people aren’t just using Zyn to replace more harmful nicotine products, like vaping and cigs. Zyn is at the heart of a host of social media movements, like a viral fitness trend that promotes using nicotine as a pre-workout stimulant. And, there is a lot of buzz about using Zyn to help with focus, alertness, and mood boosts.

We see Zyn everywhere: in the workplace, at the club, all over our social media feed. It’s the Zyn tin outline in back pockets and the finance bros who can’t go without their pouches. Zyns have become embedded in our cultural moment, but this does not mean that they are an effective way to quit or cut back on using nicotine.

Here’s a timeline of how Zyn came to be so popular.

Year	Milestone	Market Growth
2018	Available in ~13,500 U.S. stores	12.7M cans sold
2020	Expanded to ~100,000 stores	Nationwide presence
2023	Acquired by Philip Morris International	384.8M cans globally
2025	U.S. shipments up 177% (Q1 vs Q1 2023)	Market dominance

Zyn now accounts for more than 70% of the U.S. nicotine pouch market.

Sources: Axios, Wikipedia

Zyn and Teens

The fastest-growing group of Zyn users is teens. Research shows:

Among 10th and 12th graders, use nearly doubled from 3% in 2023 to 5.4% in 2024.
1.8% of middle and high school students reported using nicotine pouches in 2024, with most choosing Zyn.

This trend is troubling because nicotine exposure during adolescence can rewire the brain, making addiction more likely and harder to reverse.

Sources: Keck School of Medicine of USC, CDC

Zyn in Culture and Social Media

Zyn has become more than a product; it’s a cultural phenomenon. On TikTok and Instagram, “Zynfluencers” glamorize pouch use, which creates hype and social pressure among teens and young adults to try Zyn. But, new Zyn users often have little awareness of the risks. Virality does not mean that Zyn is the best fit for you and your nicotine goals.

The way Zyn is portrayed online mirrors how vaping was portrayed when it was becaming hugely popular. Convenience and cool factor, which are amplified by content and media narratives, make people ignore the health risks. As social media continues to normalize daily Zyning, it is important to learn about what other options exist.

Why People Become Dependent On Zyn

Nicotine is one of the most habit-forming drugs in the world. Zyn accelerates dependence because:

It’s discreet: Can be used anywhere without notice.
It’s flavored: Mint, citrus, and coffee flavors appeal to new users.
It’s potent: Some pouches contain as much nicotine as a cigarette.
It’s convenient: No lighter, charger, or smoke—just pop it in.

All of these factors make it easier to use Zyn more often, which strengthens the cycle of dependence. Flavors are also a big part of why Zyn is so appealing. If you’re ready to be free of your nicotine habit, Jones can help with two bold flavors — mint and cherry — so you can start lowering your nicotine intake and eventually be nic free for good.

The Health Risks

Even though Zyn does not have smoke and vapor, it isn’t totally free from risks.

Risk	What It Means
Nicotine dependence	Needing it multiple times a day, hard to go without it, withdrawal, and difficulty quitting
Heart health	Raised heart rate and blood pressure
Oral health	Gum irritation, vape tongue, and possible mouth damage
Brain development	In teens, nicotine impacts brain development and can disrupt memory and mood
Anxiety and depression	Nicotine can worsen a nxiety, depression, and sleep disorders

Quitting Zyn not only lowers these risks but can also improve your health. Read more about the benefits of quitting nicotine.

Why Quitting Is Different With Jones

- FDA approved and science-backed to help you quit.

- No dependency on fast-acting nicotine products.

- Track how much money you save by not buying Zyn’s or vapes.

- Studies show that quitting nicotine with NRT and behavioral support makes it 50-70% more likely to quit successfully.

- Personalized step down plan that integrates less frequent and lower nicotine doses over time, from 4mg to 2mg to quit.

- You’re always in control: you tell us your nicotine goals–whether that’s quitting or just cutting back–and decide how quickly you want to reach them.

FAQ:

How has teen usage of nicotine pouches changed recently?

Usage among 10th-and 12th-graders in the U.S. has nearly doubled, rising from 3 % in 2023 to 5.4% in 2024, according to a JAMA Network Open study. Experts warn this spike underscores the need for stronger prevention and surveillance efforts.

Do NFL players use Zyn or vaping products?

Yes. Locker rooms show widespread nicotine product use—Cleveland Browns punter Spencer Lanning estimates 75–80% of his teammates have chewed tobacco. Many players and even coaches use nicotine discreetly, despite NFL bans. Read more in our article on NFL players and vaping.

How does Zyn affect your brain and mood?

Nicotine triggers dopamine release, which boosts mood briefly. Over time, brain adaptations require more nicotine to feel “normal,” triggering stronger cravings, mood swings, and anxiety when off it.

How much does Zyn use typically cost over time?

Even moderate use at several cans per week can mount to over $800 annually. Quitting with alternatives like NRT or Jones can significantly reduce both dependence and expenses.