ZYN use is on the rise at Arcata High, some even referring to it as the “New vaping.”
“Students use whatever is trendy at the moment,” Guidance counselor Eilen Klima said, “but it has usually always involved nicotine in some form.”
A ZYN is a small nicotine pouch, designed to be placed in the upper lip against the gums. As the nicotine is slowly absorbed into the bloodstream.
“It’s like tobacco chew in a pouch, essentially chemical stuff. There [are] flavors; mint, coffee, wintergreen, cinnamon, citrus, and smooth [or] plain,” an anonymous student said.
The ZYN company originally intended the product to help adult smokers to cut back on smoking. However, ZYNS have grown in popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, and many teens have started to use them as an alternative to vaping. ZYNS are small and easy to hide in pockets and during use. Unlike most nicotine products ZYNS are almost invisible while they are being used and lack smell. The packaging looks similar to chewing gum or an Altoids container.
“I use them every second period,” another anonymous student said. “They’re hidden and discrete. There’s no way to get caught. No teachers are going to make you open your mouth to check. I found out about them online, on TikTok and Instagram.”
These students may have outsmarted teachers, but they can’t escape the impending health issues caused by the penny-sized pouches.
“I might get some gum problems, but other than that I don’t think [there are negative effects from ZYN use],” an anonymous sophomore said.
Gum problems will most likely not be the only long-term health issue. According to the American Dental Association, the long-term effects are largely unknown but will harm teenagers’ brain development, as well as increase blood pressure and heart rate, putting your cardiovascular health at risk long-term.
Another risk of the abuse of ZYNs is nicotine poisoning also known by users as “nic sick.” It is the result of having too much nicotine in one’s system. One student I talked to reported that his first time resulted in him throwing up from being “nic sick” in the bushes at the Chevron by Cal Poly Humboldt. Disoriented, he eventually found his way back to the school.
These little nic packages carry one more punch, all nicotine products suffer from their addictiveness. Tobacco/nicotine is highly addictive, leaving many struggling with life long addictions. While this may not be at the forefront of student users’ minds, it is a real life problem that will most likely be in their future if they use nicotine products regularly.
“Three out of four teens who smoke cigarettes in high school will still be smoking as adults,” teen.smokefree.gov said.
Although ZYNs don’t have the same mg of nicotine as cigarettes, they are still both highly addictive and cause detrimental life long effects.
“Don’t start.”