Philip Morris says FDA allows marketing Zyn as less harmful than cigarettes

Philip Morris said on Tuesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration would allow the company's Zyn nicotine pouches to be marketed as less harmful to human health than cigarettes.

Pouches, which users insert under their lip to get a nicotine buzz, are the fastest-growing nicotine product in the U.S., with millions of users. Popular nicotine pouch products had been awaiting the agency's clearance as scientists hesitated due to potential risks to new users, ‌including children.

Philip Morris said the agency allowed the company to market the following claim for 20 variants of Zyn products: "Using ZYN instead of cigarettes puts you at a lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis."

Axios had first reported the development earlier on Tuesday. FDA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)

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This story was originally published June 30, 2026 at 11:35 AM.