What Is ZYN? Nicotine Pouches Explained (Strengths, Safety, How to Use)

By PouchGuide Editorial Team · Published September 28, 2026

ZYN (pronounced “zin”) is the best-selling brand of nicotine pouches in the US. A ZYN is a small, white pouch you place between your upper lip and gum. It releases nicotine that’s absorbed through the lining of your mouth, with no smoke, no vapor and no spitting. Here’s what’s in it, how it works, and what’s known about the risks.

Who makes ZYN?

ZYN is made by Swedish Match, the Swedish snus company that has been part of Philip Morris International (PMI) since 2022. It’s sold in the US and many other countries. ZYN has become a huge business: PMI reported shipping 2.9 billion ZYN pouches in the second quarter of 2026 alone.

What’s in a ZYN pouch?

ZYN pouches contain nicotine but no tobacco leaf, plus plant-based fillers, flavorings, sweeteners and pH adjusters, like most nicotine pouches. See our guide to nicotine pouch ingredients. “Tobacco-free” describes the ingredients. In the US, ZYN is still legally a tobacco product because it contains nicotine.

ZYN strengths and flavors

• Classic ZYN: a dry pouch, with 10 core flavors in 3mg and 6mg (Cool Mint, Spearmint, Peppermint, Menthol, Wintergreen, Citrus, Coffee, Cinnamon, Chill and Smooth). PMI planned to add 1.5mg and 8mg in Q3 2026.
• ZYN Ultra: a stronger, slightly moist line in 9mg and 11mg, 20 pouches per can.

See our ZYN flavors guide and what ZYN Ultra is.

How do you use ZYN?

ZYN’s instructions are to place one pouch between your upper lip and gum for up to one hour. You may swallow saliva naturally, but never swallow the pouch itself. Pouches are single use.

• New to nicotine? Start at 3mg or lower, and keep the first pouch in for just 10–15 minutes (see how long to keep a ZYN in).
• A tingle or mild burn is normal (see why ZYN burns).
• Upper lip is recommended (see top or bottom lip).

What has the FDA said about ZYN?

• January 2025: the FDA authorized 20 ZYN products (10 flavors in 3mg and 6mg) for sale through its premarket review. That means the FDA found allowing them on the market appropriate for public health. It is not a safety approval.
• June 30, 2026: the FDA granted those 20 products a modified risk order. ZYN can be marketed with a claim that switching completely from cigarettes lowers the risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
• August 2026: the FDA authorized 11 ZYN Ultra products.

The modified-risk claim compares ZYN with cigarettes. It doesn’t mean ZYN is safe, or safer than not using nicotine. See our explainer on the ZYN modified-risk claim.

Is ZYN bad for you?

ZYN avoids the smoke that causes most smoking-related disease. But it isn’t risk-free:

• It’s addictive. ZYN contains nicotine, and many users find it hard to stop (see ZYN withdrawal).
• It affects your heart and blood pressure. Nicotine raises heart rate and blood pressure (see is ZYN bad for your heart?).
• It can irritate your gums with regular use (see oral health).
• Long-term effects are unknown. Pouches haven’t been around long enough for long-term studies (see long-term effects).
• It’s dangerous for children and pets if swallowed.

For smokers, switching completely is very likely much less harmful than continuing to smoke. For non-users, there’s no health reason to start.

Who can buy ZYN?

In the US, you must be 21 or older to buy ZYN or any nicotine product. Several states also add significant taxes (see ZYN taxes by state). Some countries ban nicotine pouches altogether (see where pouches are banned).

Bottom line

ZYN is a tobacco-free nicotine pouch made by PMI’s Swedish Match, and the best-selling pouch brand in the US. It comes in 10 core flavors at 3mg and 6mg, plus the stronger ZYN Ultra line. The FDA has authorized it for sale and allows a modified-risk claim compared with cigarettes. But it’s addictive, affects heart rate and blood pressure, and its long-term effects are unknown. See our ZYN brand page for specs and where to buy.