Do you know about Zyn? Your kids do.

As Time magazine recently wrote, “Juul is out and Zyn is in.”

If you haven’t yet heard about Zyn, a small pouch that slowly releases nicotine over time, it’s time to get familiar. Using the same playbook Juul used to reach teens almost a decade ago, Zyn is quickly becoming a teen favorite. Zyn has several flavored options and is easy to hide from parents and other adults, and it’s getting your child addicted to nicotine.

Zyn and similar products are often marketed as a “safer alternative to tobacco,” but the nicotine contained in these products is actually highly addictive, can be harmful to the cardiovascular system, and interferes with brain development.

There is no safe amount of nicotine. Teens should never ingest nicotine.

Why is nicotine bad for teens, kids and young adults?

  • Zyn and most e-cigarettes (vapes) contain nicotine — the addictive drug in regular cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products.
  • Nicotine can harm the developing adolescent brain.* The brain keeps developing until about age 25.
  • Using nicotine in adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.*
  • Each time a new memory is created or a new skill is learned, stronger connections – or synapses – are built between brain cells. Young people’s brains build synapses faster than adult brains. Nicotine changes the way these synapses are formed.
  • Using nicotine in adolescence may also increase risk for future addiction to other drugs.*
  • Youth may turn to Zyn or vaping to try to deal with stress or anxiety, creating a cycle of nicotine dependence. But nicotine addiction can be a source of stress.
  • Nicotine is absorbed into your bloodstream and goes to your adrenal glands just above your kidneys. The glands release adrenaline which increases your blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate. Adrenaline also gives you a lot of good feelings all at once.

* Taylor G, McNeill A, Girling A, et al. Change in mental health after smoking cessation: systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal 2014;348:g1151.

How can parents address nicotine use?

Talking to your child can help them avoid nicotine addiction. Here are a few tips for addressing nicotine use with your child:

  • Set a good example by being tobacco-free and ensure that your kid is not exposed to the secondhand emissions from any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. If you use tobacco, it’s never too late to quit. For free help, attend one of our cessation classes, visit smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
  • Start talking to your kids and teens about nicotine as early as possible. It’s important to have this discussion multiple times as your kids grow up.
  • Have an open and honest conversation about the dangers of nicotine use and how it can affect them. Also, if they express the desire to quit, work with them on a quitting plan. A pediatrician may have more guidance on how to tackle this subject with your child, or you can visit The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Behavioral Cessation Supports for Youth resource page to find additional ways to help your child. Tobacco Free Amarillo’s cessation classes are also available for youth who want to quit nicotine.
  • Let your child know that you want them to stay away from all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, because they are not safe for them. Seek help and get involved.
  • Set up an appointment with your child’s health care provider so that they can hear from a medical professional about the health risks of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
  • Encourage your child to learn the facts and get tips for quitting tobacco products at Teen.smokefree.gov.

 

“ZYN US Nicotine Pouches” Zyn image by Aphis Marta is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 .