Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) is calling for a federal crackdown on Zyn nicotine pouches, a local CBS New York affiliate reported Sunday.
"Pouch packed with problems: high levels of nicotine," video showed Schumer saying. "So today, I'm delivering a warning to parents because these nicotine pouches seem to lock their sights on young kids, teenagers and even lower, and then use the social media to hook them." He called on the FTC and FDA to investigate the company over its marketing and the health effects of its products, according to the affiliate.
Zyn is one of several brands that produce small pouches of nicotine powder that users consume orally. There is no long-term research on the health effects of the products, but nicotine is an addictive substance and can increase the relapse risk for former smokers.
This is not the first time the Biden administration has targeted nicotine products. It announced its intentions in 2021 to ban menthol cigarettes but delayed the ban last month amid concerns that it could alienate black voters before the 2024 election.
As the Washington Free Beacon reported Monday, Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) warned that terrorists groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah could take advantage of the proposed ban, should it become law, and profit from selling illegal menthol cigarettes on a black market.