Popularity of Zyn and other nicotine pouch brands among U.S. adolescents, young adults, and adults in 2021

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study identifies brands of nicotine pouches used in 2021, just before the surge in popularity of Zyn use. MethodsWe conducted a national, cross-sectional online survey of a general U.S. population (November to December 2021; N = 6131; age 13–40) via Qualtrics panels. Descriptive analyses and chi-squared tests (alpha = 0.05) were performed to assess ever and past-30-day use of nicotine pouch brands across adolescents (13−20), young adults (21–24), and adults (25–40), and to assess frequency of popular brands used among peers. ResultsThe top brands ever used were Zyn (overall: 30.9%; adolescents: 31.9%; young adults: 33.2%; adults: 28.3%) and Lyft (overall: 28.8%; adolescents: 28.4%; young adults: 32.9%; adults: 26.3%), with no differences in ever-use by age group (p's > 0.095). The top brands used in the past-30-days were Zyn (overall: 26.4%; adolescents: 24.5%; young adults: 24.3%; adults: 30.0%) and Rush (overall: 24.2%; adolescents: 21.0%; young adults: 22.7%; adults: 28.6%). Adults (vs. adolescents, young adults) were more likely to report past-30-day use of Lyft (p = 0.004). Participants indicated Zyn (18.5%) and Lyft (18.2%) to be the most popular brands among peers. ConclusionsEven in 2021, Zyn was the most popular brand of nicotine pouches. Findings will help regulate and reduce impact of marketing of Zyn.