Zyn, America’s favorite nicotine pouch, is facing stock shortages in certain states such as New York, New Jersey, and Florida. This shortage comes amid supply chain challenges acknowledged by Philip Morris International’s CFO during a recent company call. Zyn’s popularity has been growing rapidly among white-collar workers, including those on Wall Street. As a result, finding Zyn in these states may become increasingly difficult.
Smoke shops in New York are experiencing a shortage of pouches, which typically retail for around $5. According to Bloomberg, some shops have run out of stock, while wholesalers in New Jersey and Florida are also struggling to meet demand. The shortage has been ongoing for several weeks, according to one industry worker.
Philip Morris International (PMI), the tobacco products maker responsible for distributing Marlboro cigarettes outside the US, is experiencing supply chain tensions due to the growing popularity of Zyn, a nicotine pouch product. During an earnings call last month, PMI’s chief financial officer, Emmanuel Babeau, acknowledged the strain caused by Zyn’s growth. PMI acquired the company that produces Zyn in 2022 but has not yet responded to Business Insider’s request for comment.
Zyn, a colorful and flavored gum-like pouch, has seen a surge in popularity recently, especially among office employees, Wall Street traders, and Republican lawmakers. These pouches are being used as a “pick-me-up” to increase productivity. Some users have even claimed that Zyn has helped them lose weight, likening it to the viral weight-loss drug Ozempic.
In February, the company announced that it had shipped nearly 385 million cans of flavored nicotine pouches in the US in 2023, representing a 62% increase compared to the previous year. With the aim of capitalizing on this success, the firm is projecting even stronger performance in 2024, with an estimated 520 million cans expected to be shipped in the US this year, according to its February earnings report.
This surge in business comes as the company continues to focus on developing smoke-free alternatives, in response to the global decline in cigarette smoking.
Medical experts and research studies have previously highlighted the addictive nature of nicotine and its potential harm to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as reported by BI.
In recent news, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken action against the sale of Zyn to underage buyers. In the last month alone, the FDA has issued 119 warning letters to retailers and filed 41 civil complaints regarding the sales of Zyn to underage individuals in both the previous and current year.