Could Reduced-Risk Status Be A Matter of Time for ZYN?

There’s an important update brewing in the world of nicotine pouches. According to a recent industry report, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looks poised to authorize ZYN as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP).

This means ZYN could potentially be the first nicotine pouch brand in the country to receive authorization to make the same reduced risk claims (relative to cigarettes) that General Snus is able to make. 

Earlier this month, we expressed our support for ZYN’s MRTP filing and it seems that both the FDA and the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) shared similar sentiments at a public hearing just a few days ago.

So, what does this mean for adult consumers and the industry at large? Let’s walk through what we know so far. 

Key Takeaways
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  • The Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee asserted that Swedish Match’s reduced risk health claims held up under scientific scrutiny at a public hearing on January 22. 
  • FDA materials pointed to the fact that ZYN contains substantially lower levels of harmful or potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) than cigarettes. 
  • Scientists from Swedish Match, PMI, and the FDA presented the case for ZYN as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP). More than 20 members of the broader public—including retailers, think-tank representatives, and community groups—also offered comments (the vast majority of which spoke in favor of the MRTP).
  • This comes a year after ZYN’s Marketing Granted Orders at the beginning of 2025. 
  • If authorized as an MRTP, Swedish Match could claim: “Using ZYN instead of cigarettes puts you at a lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.” 
  • Scientifically speaking, it seems ZYN has now met all the statutory requirements. 
  • The broader harm reduction debate must also be considered before granting MRTP status (e.g. whether this sort of marketing could normalize nicotine usage among non-users or youth). 
  • While the FDA is not obliged to follow these TPSAC recommendations, we remain optimistic given all the supporting evidence presented. Now it's just a matter of awaiting their decision... 

Decision Still Pending, But Looks Promising 

MRTP stands for Modified Risk Tobacco Product. It’s a regulatory certification that allows manufacturers to communicate directly with the consumer about how their nicotine pouches present a lower health risk than traditional tobacco products, such as cigarettes—and, not just that, but that these claims are actually backed by a strong body of scientific evidence. 

An MRTP authorization isn’t about encouraging the use of these products. Rather, it’s focused on helping existing consumers better understand the continuum of risk and make more informed decisions about where they get their nicotine from. The FDA has previously stated that nicotine pouches as a category fall at the lower end of that risk continuum. 

In this case, FDA scientists have determined that ZYN’s proposed statements are scientifically accurate, which is a significant step in regulatory terms. It’s the culmination of years of research, review, and careful evaluation. 

The science, and the many public speakers who supported the authorization were clear: Americans deserve honest messaging around these products and their impacts on overall harm reduction.

Laura Leigh Oyler
VP, Regulatory Affairs

What This Means For ZYN Customers

Navigating the nicotine pouch market can feel complicated for the average consumer trying to weigh up different alternatives. Between state-specific regulations, explicit marketing restrictions, and technical language, it’s not always easy to know what different authorizations actually mean. 

ZYN's pending MRTP decision from the FDA has big implications for the market and modern consumer since it acknowledges not all nicotine is created equal—there is, in fact, a scientifically substantiated difference between combustible cigarettes and smokeless nicotine pouches. 

An MRTP authorization would enable: 

  • Product information grounded in scientific review; 
  • Transparent communication from manufacturers; 
  • Better education around the relative risks of certain products. 

In short: More clarity and less confusion for adults (21+) who want straightforward information about their choices when it comes to nicotine consumption.

A Step Towards Better Understanding

One of the key takeaways from the FDA discussions is the importance of public education. Nicotine consumers deserve to have all the information at their fingertips—not mixed messages or unnecessary complexity. 

For retailers, like us, this kind of regulatory transparency helps create a more consistent experience across the entire category and would enable more adults to shop with confidence. A win-win. 

At Northerner, we’re here to make your experience as smooth, informative, and pressure-free as possible. We've built up a supportive community based on facts and are hopeful that the regulatory powers that be are (finally) starting to acknowledge the science and move in a similar direction. 

We’re committed to breaking down industry news into practical, easy-to-understand guides too, so you always feel part of the discussion and more empowered to make smoke-free choices.  

Keep an eye on The Northerner Blog as we await further updates regarding ZYN (and other brands) over the coming days, weeks, and months as part of the FDA's fast-track program.