Zyn Faces Shortages and Subpoenas, Chinese Brands Swiftly Fill Market Gap

Market by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jul.11.2024
Zyn Faces Shortages and Subpoenas, Chinese Brands Swiftly Fill Market Gap
Supply shortages and legal troubles force PMI's Zyn nicotine pouch brand to halt online sales in the US, attracting new competitors.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg, the nicotine pouch brand Zyn owned by Philip Morris International (PMI) is facing a double pressure of supply shortages and subpoenas, leading to the suspension of its online sales in the United States. In response, a large number of competitors have entered the market, vying to capture market share.

 

California wholesaler Apex Distribution's sales manager, Song Jo, expressed at last month's trade show in Houston, the Alternative Products Expo, 

 

Due to Zyn's current decrease in sales and ongoing manufacturing issues, we hope to seize the opportunity and capitalize on this momentum.

 

He unveiled a nicotine pouch brand named after former professional basketball player Dennis Rodman at the exhibition.

 

According to market research firm Euromonitor International, the nicotine pouch market in the United States reached $6 billion last year, and is expected to reach $18 billion by 2027. The company reported that sales of Zyn increased by 80% in the first quarter.

 

However, after receiving a subpoena from the Colombian district, PMI decided to suspend online sales nationwide, exacerbating supply shortages.

 

This has opened up the market for many new nicotine pouch brands, with many of these brands coming from China, filling a market gap. These manufacturers mostly adopt strategies that have been successful in gaining market share in the e-cigarette market.

 

A large tobacco company is combating the influx of flavored disposable e-cigarettes manufactured in China and is beginning to take notice of competitors in the nicotine pouch market.

 

Altria Group Inc. Executive Director Steven Callahan stated

 

You will notice the increase in illegal e-cigarette devices, as well as the growth of nicotine pouches.

 

A spokesperson for PMI declined to comment on the competition involving Zyn or whether Zyn is protected by patents.

 

Chris Howard, Executive Vice President of Swisher International, stated that the slow authorization of products by the FDA has led to a significant increase in illegal e-cigarette sales, and he hopes that nicotine pouches will not encounter the same situation.

 

William Chaw, project manager of Granch Biopack, a Chinese tobacco materials manufacturer, stated that his company manufactures nicotine pouches for the "L Vape" brand and plans to soon launch brands such as "Zombie Nic" and "Pure Zyn" in the United States.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

VEEV Arrives in South Korea, Completing PMI’s IQOS-ZYN-VEEV Portfolio
VEEV Arrives in South Korea, Completing PMI’s IQOS-ZYN-VEEV Portfolio
Philip Morris Korea has officially launched its VEEV e-vapor brand in South Korea, introducing both the VEEV inPRIME device and VEEBI inPRIME pods. The launch further expands PMI’s smoke-free portfolio in Korea, alongside its IQOS heated tobacco products and ZYN nicotine pouches.
Jun.16
InterTabac 2026: First conference program highlights now available online
InterTabac 2026: First conference program highlights now available online
With three months to go before the international tobacco and nicotine industry gathers again in Dortmund, InterTabac, together with NUBIZ and InterSupply, is set to bring around 800 exhibitors from across the globe to eleven exhibition halls. The three events will showcase innovation, market trends and industry networking, while the first conference program highlights are now online, offering trade visitors keynotes, panel discussions and masterclasses to support business decision-making.
Events
Jun.22
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Reform Drives Price Increase as JT Raises All Ploom Sticks by ¥40
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Reform Drives Price Increase as JT Raises All Ploom Sticks by ¥40
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has applied to Japan’s finance minister for approval to revise retail prices of its Ploom heated tobacco sticks following planned changes to the heated tobacco tax system from October 1, 2026. If approved, all 31 Ploom stick products will increase by ¥40. After the adjustment, EVO products will cost ¥620 per 20-stick pack, MEVIUS products ¥590 and CAMEL products ¥570. JT said the price revision is intended to respond to tax changes while maintaining product quality and brand value. The tax reform is expected to narrow the tax gap between combustible cigarettes and heated tobacco products, potentially reshaping pricing strategies in Japan’s heated tobacco market.
Jul.22
Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
China-based Hunan China Tobacco Industry Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Baisha Technology Co., Ltd. have filed a patent application covering an adult-user identification mechanism for heated tobacco devices. The patent proposes using flexible pressure sensors installed in the device grip area to collect pressure distribution patterns generated when users hold the device. The system evaluates factors including effective contact area, grip shape and contact duration, and combines roller movement detection to determine whether unlocking conditions are met. The filing reflects exploration of device-level user recognition and smarter interaction technologies for heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Aug.05
From Nicotine Pouches to Soft Candy Forms: China Tobacco Hubei explores adjustable-release oral nicotine products
From Nicotine Pouches to Soft Candy Forms: China Tobacco Hubei explores adjustable-release oral nicotine products
China-based China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd. has filed a patent application covering an oral nicotine product and its preparation method. The patent proposes a soft candy-shaped oral nicotine product containing nicotine ingredients, gelling agents, sweeteners and alkaline pH regulators. Through formulation adjustments and homogeneous or dual-layer structures, the technology aims to achieve different nicotine release profiles. The filing reflects exploration of new oral nicotine product formats and controlled nicotine delivery approaches.
Aug.06
PMI Partners With Italian Tenor Andrea Bocelli to Launch “Believe. Further” Platform
PMI Partners With Italian Tenor Andrea Bocelli to Launch “Believe. Further” Platform
Philip Morris International (PMI) and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli have launched “Believe. Further,” a multi-year communications platform targeting cultural, institutional and business audiences in Europe, as PMI says smoke-free products accounted for 43% of its net revenues as of the first quarter of 2026.
Jul.01