Behind the Money Why Big Tobacco is buzzing over nicotine pouches
30 snips
Aug 19, 2025 In this discussion, Clara Murray, a data reporter at the Financial Times specializing in the tobacco industry, and Mari Novik, a leisure reporter, reveal how nicotine pouches have surged in popularity as cigarette sales decline. They explore the potential of these pouches as cognitive enhancers and a fresh revenue source for Big Tobacco. The conversation also tackles the marketing strategies targeting young adults, regulatory challenges, and the looming health concerns tied to this emerging trend.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Street Reactions Were Mixed
- Producers interviewed people on Manhattan's west side with mixed reactions to Zin; some loved it, others disliked the sensation.
- Comments ranged from "felt like smoking 10 cigarettes at once" to "it burns the lips."
Cigarette Demand Has Collapsed
- Global cigarette use has dropped dramatically since 2000, pressuring tobacco companies' core business.
- The decline forced firms like Philip Morris and BAT to seek new nicotine products to survive.
Pouches Evolved From Snus
- Nicotine pouches evolved from Scandinavian snus by removing tobacco and using synthetic nicotine.
- Synthetic nicotine faces lighter regulation, enabling rapid market growth outside Scandinavia.