The college student has experienced different nicotine fads in the United States. It started in the 1950s with cigarettes being used by young students on campuses around the country. It continued into the early 2010s with the invention of the e-cigarette, also known as the vape. Still, now there is a new nicotine trend that has a stranglehold on college students, the Zyn.

Whether you call it a Zyn, a pouch, or an upper decky lip pillow, these nicotine pouches are a new way to enjoy nicotine. They’re smoke-free, spit-free, and hands-free. These pouches come in a variety of flavors and strengths, and require no refills or batteries to provide the ultimate experience in nicotine satisfaction for adult users who are over twenty-one years of age.

Nash Kell, a junior nursing student at Blessing-Riemann College of Nursing, believes that these pouches will have different, longer-term effects on the human mind.

“As a nursing student, my concerns about long-term Zyns use are growing. Despite their apparent innocuousness, prolonged exposure to nicotine can have negative effects on cardiovascular health, increase blood pressure, and develop a difficult-to-break dependence. Younger people are already experiencing difficulties with symptoms they are unaware are related to nicotine,” Kell said.

The pouches became more prevalent on the college party scene, allowing students to share them with their friends easily. Nathan Smith, a senior pre-med student, believes this is why the craze has overtaken the students using e-cigarettes.

“Nowadays, Zyns are used at parties in place of vapes. Because they are easier to conceal, don’t give off any smoke, and can be used anywhere without smelling like anything, college students like them. People are passing them around like gum, and it has recently emerged as the new social nicotine,” Smith said.

Additionally, these pouches are affordable for college students, as they cost around three to five dollars per can, which is cheaper than the average e-cigarette device. This gives students the ability to get their nicotine fix without breaking the bank, but this causes a larger problem.

Alyssa Amaral, a senior exercise science major, believes these costs are making the college students’ budget even tighter.

“Even though I don’t use Zyns, I can see how much money my friends spend on them, and it’s absurd. Until they are purchasing a new can every few days, they are unaware of how quickly the expenses mount up. From the outside, it’s clear that many students are starting to have serious concerns about the cost,” Amaral said.