Why Is There a Shortage of Zyn Pouches? [The Truth Behind the It]
Since the Zynfluncer boom on social media last year, mainly on TikTok, the Swedish brand, ZYN, reportedly received “too many” orders in the States, much more than their solo manufacturing plant in Owensboro, Kentucky could handle. Also, there has been an upsurge in interest towards smokeless vapes, and Zyn pouches are the most preferred by many young adults. This whole situation has been addressed by many as a “Zynpocalypse.”
You’re wondering if there’s a shortage of Zyn pouches in the States? Well, yeah, there is, and that’s because the company received much more orders than it has received over the years since its launch in 2014. To tackle the situation, the parent company, Philip Morris International, is planning on investing a hefty sum, up to the tune of $600m to build a new plant in the U.S. to enable more production of Zyn pouches.
How and Why Did ZYN Get So Popular?
Zyns are small-sized nicotine-flavored non-chewable pouches; they come in different nicotine strengths and flavors. They come in as a perfect vaping alternative for anyone who wants to enjoy smoke-free nicotine; also, the small size makes it possible to stick the pouch between your upper lip and gum – it will stay put right there until you take it out. These pouches either contain 3mg or 6mg nicotine salt.
Of course, there have been studies and backlashes on the use of these pouches since they contain even more nicotine than regular disposable vapes, and nicotine has always been a controversial addictive substance whose usage has been heavily regulated by governments globally. But well, these Zynfluncers on social media are really having a high influence on younger adults, making them get even more addicted to using these pouches.
The main advert lines for the Zyn pouches are “tobacco-free pouches,” “smokeless nicotine pouches,” and “best quit smoking alternative.” Yes, these pouches help people quit smoking, but at the same time, they unintentionally make the same people become addicted to another health-challenging substance – nicotine.
Well, the Zyn rush has started and it’s not looking like it’s stopping any time soon, and with the company even investing a staggering $600m to build a new production plant, you can’t expect to not see more marketing-targeted social media posts and videos on various platforms. Zyn is not the only flavored nicotine product selling in the U.S., there are other brands like Velo and Rogue – these brands have started getting more attention since the Zynpocalypse in the States.
Why is there a Zyn Shortage?
Back to our main topic, the Zyn shortage is simply due to the high demand for flavored nicotine pouches, so the company is trying to keep up with the insurmountable requests from the distributors. Actually, the signs started showing since last year and now there’s undeniably a Zyn shortage in 2024.
Apparently, the company has reacted as expected and is working on expanding its production capacity. But, this new production plant in the works won’t be functional until 2026; does this imply there would continue to be a Zyn shortage until 2026 when the new plant will launch and produce more numbers to cater to the massive demands?
The ongoing Zyn shortage trend has birthed quite many fun names online like “Zyndemic” and “Zynpocalypse,” or even “the Great Depression,” as most Gen-Z TikTokers refer to the situation. To officially address the situation, here are the words of Stacey Kennedy, PMI Americas president and U.S. CEO, “PMI and its U.S. affiliates are accelerating their mission to move adults who smoke away from cigarettes in the U.S. by investing in new U.S. manufacturing capacity to meet the increasing demand for nicotine options that are scientifically substantiated as better alternatives.”
When Will the Zyn Shortage End?
As reported by WSJ, Philip Morris International expects the ZYN shortage scenario to continue until the end of this year (2024), while the brand’s lone U.S. factory in Kentucky continues to try to meet up with the spike in demands.
Already, the company is investing $600 million in a new plant to be built in Aurora, Colorado; this plant is expected to begin operations by the end of 2025 and fully kick off the Zyn pouches production in 2026. It’s really going to take a little longer before the “Zyndemic” gets over.
At the moment, there’s a “short-term inventory constraint” on Zyn products, and this is “demand-driven,” as acknowledged by a Philip Morris spokesperson. The most interesting part of this saga is that most people still pledge their loyalty to Zyn and are willing to wait for the supplies to start coming again – whenever it may be.
Velo vs. Zyn
Velo is another top name in the industry with a variety of products to offer. Velo pouches are tobacco and smoke-free like the Zyn pouches, and they are flavored too. With the short supply of Zyn pouches, quite a number of nicotine pouches fanatics are porting to Velo (not sure if it’s a permanent switch or just a makeshift until Zyn comes back to the market).
But Velo nicotine pouches actually taste good and deliver consistent flavor release. There are up to 17 flavors to choose from and different nicotine strength options. Velo has nicotine pouches with up to 11mg concentrations – that’s some hard-ass-kicking nicotine concentration, while Zyn only offers 3mg and 6mg nicotine pouches.
Comparing Velo and Zyn's nicotine pouches, Zyn already got the popularity and a larger fan base, but Velo offers pouches with higher nicotine concentration. Both brands offer nicotine pouches that are pretty small and fit perfectly under the gum. Honestly, choosing between these guys is largely based on your personal preference because they are both good brands with a variety of products to offer.
ZYN Supply Updates: What You Need to Know
Is the ZYN Shortage Linked to a Ban?
There is no ban on ZYN. Some speculated that the shortage might be related to Senator Chuck Schumer's recent call for a federal investigation into nicotine pouches, but that’s not the case. His comments did, however, increase awareness and drive ZYN sales to an all-time high.
What About the ZYN Factory Fire?
Earlier this year, a fire broke out at a Swedish Match factory in Gothenburg, Sweden. Fortunately, no one was injured, and American ZYN supply was unaffected since it’s produced in Owensboro, Kentucky. However, this incident has highlighted the need to expand and diversify local production to ensure steady supply.
Are Other Nicotine Pouches Affected?
No other brands are affected by this shortage, making now a great time to explore new options. We’ve compiled a list of alternatives that closely match ZYN in flavor and experience.
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Did Zyn Get Bought Out?
Zyn nicotine pouches were able to get into the American market after the parent company Swedish Match was acquired by Philip Morris International in 2022, in a $16b takeover. Philip Morris had been selling Marlboro cigarettes outside the US before the Swedish Match takeover deal in 2022.
Is Zyn Good For Your Brain?
Health experts have always opposed the intake of nicotine, especially among young people because the chemical substance is believed to cause “physical changes” in “still developing brains.” But then, nicotine usage is approved for adults older than 21 years, and it is advised to minimize the intake to the barest minimum.
How Harmful Are Nicotine Pouches?
When moderately used, there is literally nothing to worry about. However, when the intake is abused due to addiction (as nicotine is a highly addictive substance), health experts report that such heavy intake of nicotine – from the frequent insertion of nicotine pouches – can expose the person to several cardiovascular risks including hypertension, increased blood pressure, heart disease, and other challenging health conditions.
Are Nicotine Pouches Safer Than Chew?
Nicotine pouches are viewed as much safer and healthier alternatives to tobacco products and traditional cigarettes. Also, these pouches are perceived to be safer than most other nicotine products on the market. But this doesn’t mean they are entirely risk-free – the presence of nicotine still raises concern as high consumption of the substance can cause gum disease and damage, as well as cardiovascular issues and nausea.
Do Nicotine Pouches Expire?
Yes, they do. But they stay quite long before expiring. The average shelf life of nicotine pouches is 12 months from the production date. Once expired, it is not advisable to put the pouch into your mouth – even though some people do that.
How Long Does a Zyn Nicotine Pouch Last?
For most people, it takes them 25 – 30 minutes to consume a Zyn nicotine pouch. But this is not a “one size fits all” situation; there are factors that could affect the flavor duration of a Zyn nicotine pouch, but it’s most likely that a Zyn nicotine pouch would be completely exhausted after 60 minutes (1 hour) regardless of the size and nicotine strength.
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