Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Nicholas Florko
Published on 2024-01-25 19:49:51
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing for the federal government to investigate the popularity of Zyn nicotine pouches. Zyn, a nicotine pouch, has become widely popular among conservative men, most notably Tucker Carlson. Schumer’s request has prompted backlash on social media, conservative news outlets, and from Republican members of Congress.
Schumer’s concerns are that Zyn targets young kids, teenagers, and lower, and uses social media to attract them. However, data suggests that Zyn and similar products are not popular with young kids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, only 1.5% of middle and high school kids reported regularly using nicotine pouches in 2023.
While Zyn is popular on social media, it is unclear how much of the viral popularity is the company’s doing. The company claims it doesn’t pay people to promote its product online. However, an expert on tobacco industry marketing believes that the company has a role in the product’s viral popularity.
It is still unclear what exactly Schumer wants the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration to probe, but it revolves around whether the product’s manufacturer, Philip Morris International, could get in any trouble.
Republican members of Congress have criticized Schumer’s efforts as an example of the Democratic Party’s overreach into voters’ private lives. This issue could mobilize some in the Republican party who are already resentful about alleged government overreach.
In conclusion, the controversy over Zyn could potentially rally Republican voters who support individual rights, tolerance, and respecting people’s body autonomy. Although it is not a unifying issue, it could be another example for a party running on a message of reducing the size of regulatory agencies to support individual decision making.
Read the original article on Africa Health News
