Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has drawn significant criticism over his push for federal action to block the popular tobacco-less nicotine pouch Zyn.
Schumer on Monday called Zyn a “pouch packed with problems,” accusing the Swedish company of “[locking] their sights on young kids … and then [using] the social media to hook them.” He called on the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration to investigate the marketing and health effects of Zyn and similar products.
Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) chided the Democratic leader on X, saying that passing a spending bill with border security funding should be a higher priority than investigating Zyn.
“Hey Chuck, the border is out of control,” McClain said. “Maybe we can start there instead of trying to ban Zyn and mess with consumers’ rights.”
Zyn and other non-tobacco nicotine pouches have been gaining popularity as restrictions on electronic cigarettes have sharply increased, with sales soaring from $126 million in December 2019 to $808 million in March 2022.
The Biden administration has called for increasing regulations on e-cigarettes for targeting teenagers and young adults as well as proposed a menthol cigarette ban, which supporters say unduly affect black and other minority groups.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee, the campaign arm of Senate Republicans, also criticized Schumer and the Biden administration’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes, saying that “the nanny state is alive and well with today’s Democrat Party.”
Others also weighed in on social media.
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This summer, Schumer also asked the FDA to investigate PRIME energy drinks for their high levels of caffeine that have been deemed unsafe for children.
Zyn did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
