An influx of nicotine bag brand ZYN into New Zealand schools has sparked concerns among health professionals that a ban will not prevent the product from enteri...
Health professionals in New Zealand are warning about a new nicotine product that is infiltrating New Zealand schools, the New Zealand Herald reported on April 17. ZYN is a smokeless nicotine pouch brand that is gradually entering the mainstream through social media influencers on social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram.
The Swedish-based product is designed to be an alternative to smoking or vaping to help users quit nicotine.
University of Otago professor Richard Edwards, co-director of Aspire2025, told the Herald they were concerned about the general acceptance of these products among young people.
"While these products may not be as harmful as smoking, they may be equally or similarly addictive, which could lead to widespread use among young people and widespread addiction to nicotine."
Edwards warned that unlike other nicotine pouch brands such as Snus, the ZYN brand does not contain tobacco. These nicotine pouches look like small tea bags and are placed between the lips and gums. They are usually sold in colorful jars of 15 to 20 and come in a variety of flavors including berry, coffee and citrus.
New Zealand banned the sale of nicotine pouches in 2020, but importing them from overseas remains legal as long as they are not sold. Despite facing a ban, the Herald understands the products are now making their way into schools across the country, with claims of students selling them among their classmates.
However, Sean Teddy, head of operations and integration at the Department of Education, said the school had not raised the issue with the department.
He emphasized,
"Under the Smoke-Free Environments and Regulated Products (E-Cigarettes) Act 2020 as amended, smoking or the use of e-cigarettes on school grounds is prohibited in all schools, kura kaupapa (Māori schools), early childhood education centers and kōhanga reo (Māori immersion kindergartens). Smoking is illegal.”
Deputy Health Minister Casey Costello earlier hinted she wanted to introduce oral nicotine products, including snus and chewing tobacco, to give smokers more and safer alternatives to smoking.
However, Edwards believes that the introduction of oral nicotine products may not work in the way intended. Edwards worries that these oral nicotine products will be difficult to target to their intended demographic. He said, "The largest number of e-cigarette users are young people... What we want is 50-year-old smokers." He said allowing these products to enter the market without restrictions could lead to more young people becoming dependent on nicotine.
Edwards believes these products should not be introduced unless there is a very strong reason to do so. He suggested that it might be possible to adopt a drugstore-only distribution model that would restrict distribution even more, but if these products were widely sold in places like dairies and gas stations, then we might see another widespread use among young people. products used.
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