Read articles from United States of America

February 25, 2026 by reason.org

Aligning with scientific evidence and international success stories, safer nicotine alternatives offer a way to reduce smoking-related harm. Tobacco harm reduction, supported by the FDA, stresses the reduced risks of products like e-cigarettes. Taxing these products less than cigarettes is crucial to incentivize smokers to switch, promoting public health. Regressive taxing unfairly impacts lower-income smokers. Following FDA guidelines and global examples such as Sweden and the UK, Wisconsin should adopt risk-proportionate taxation to encourage harm reduction.

February 24, 2026 by consumeraffairs.com

New national research shows that nicotine pouch use is low among U.S. adults, with higher rates among recent ex-smokers or vapers. Men and non-Hispanic White adults were more likely users. Nicotine pouches offer an alternative to traditional smoking, but more data is needed to understand their impact. U.S. FDA approval in 2025 raised interest in pouches as a harm-reduction option. The study used Census data to analyze pouch usage, showing that tobacco users, especially recent quitters, were the primary users. While pouches might assist some in quitting traditional tobacco, non-users should not start. Understanding the demographics and habits of pouch users is important for public health.

February 24, 2026 by reason.org

Gov. Hochul's $260 billion budget includes a new tax on nicotine pouches to match cigarette prices, raising $18 million initially and $44 million later. While meant to improve public health, pouches don't contain tobacco or produce smoke. They offer a safer alternative as proven by the FDA approval. However, taxing them heavily may deter smokers from switching, consequently boosting cigarette sales. Existing tobacco tax revenue could be better used to enforce compliance and prevention programs instead of introducing new taxes.

February 05, 2026 by snusforumet.se

U.S. regulators are close to approving Zyn nicotine pouches as safer than cigarettes. Experts at a FDA hearing support the claim that Zyn reduces risks, with minimal youth use. In contrast, Europe is restricting similar products due to youth concerns. The Association of Swedish Snus Manufacturers praises U.S. openness to harm reduction. FDA granted pre-market approval to Zyn last year, recognizing it as less harmful. The public can comment until March 4, 2026, before the FDA's final decision. Previously, FDA approved Swedish Match USA's tobacco snus as a reduced-risk product in 2019.

January 29, 2026 by cato.org

When governments ban products, they don’t eliminate demand—they redirect it. That basic economic fact is especially important in nicotine policy, where people don’t simply stop using nicotine because a preferred product disappears. Flavored vaping bans are a case in point. Many states and some cities have enacted bans on in-store and/​or online sales of flavored vapes. However, adults also enjoy these flavored products, and many trying to quit smoking find it easier with flavored options.

January 29, 2026 by kjzz.org

Arizona received a failing grade in tobacco control efforts according to the American Lung Association's report. Despite an increase in funding to $22 million in 2026, the state still falls short of CDC recommendations. The report urges Arizona to improve funding for tobacco prevention programs and raise taxes on tobacco products to protect communities and reduce tobacco use.

January 23, 2026 by apnews.com

The FDA is considering approving Phillip Morris International's Zyn pouches as a less harmful alternative for smokers. FDA experts are inclined towards approval, though concerns about underage use and marketing efficacy remain. Zyn, with various flavors, is a fast-growing product in the tobacco industry. Phillip Morris aims to promote Zyn as reducing risks associated with smoking-related diseases. Evidence supports Zyn's potential health benefits, but long-term studies and impact on smokers switching are lacking. FDA must also assess potential harm to young people despite low teenage use of nicotine pouches.

January 21, 2026 by 13wham.com

Governor Hochul's FY2027 budget proposes taxing nicotine pouches like Zyn under the tobacco products definition, drawing criticism from Philip Morris International. The FDA authorized Zyn in 2025 as a safer alternative for smokers. The Hochul Administration sees nicotine pouches as a public health concern despite their potential benefits. The proposed tax aims to generate $54 million in revenue, but critics argue it hinders smokers seeking healthier options.

January 05, 2026 by jamanetwork.com

When e-cigarettes first appeared, many public health professionals saw them as a potential tool to help people who smoke transition away from combustible cigarettes to a less harmful source of nicotine. While this approach worked for some individuals, aggressive and risky marketing strategies contributed to a surge in vaping among young people. Now, a new effort from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that the agency may be shifting its harm-reduction strategy toward another product: nicotine pouches.

December 17, 2025 by reason.org

Washington state implements harm reduction policies for opioids and HIV prevention but contradicts this approach by imposing a 95% wholesale tax on nicotine pouches, potentially hindering smokers from switching to a safer alternative to cigarettes. The tax may lead to unintended consequences such as continued cigarette use. Unlike tobacco, nicotine itself is not carcinogenic, thus taxing all tobacco products equally, including safer options, may not be beneficial for public health. Evidence from Sweden demonstrates the effectiveness of low-risk nicotine alternatives in reducing smoking rates. Taxing nicotine products indiscriminately could impede smoking cessation efforts, particularly for low-income individuals. Washington's taxation strategy contrasts with successful harm reduction practices, raising concerns about its effectiveness.