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WASHINGTON (AP) -- There's nothing complicated about the latest tobacco product trending online: tiny pouches filled with nicotine and flavoring. But the popularity of Zyn has sparked an increasingly intense debate among politicians, parents and pundits, reflecting a complex landscape in which Big Tobacco companies aggressively push alternative products while experts wrestle with their potential benefits and risks. Zyn comes in flavors like mint, coffee and citrus and is marketed by Philip Morris International to adult tobacco users. But videos of young people popping these little pouches are racking up millions of views on social media platforms like TikTok. And a new generation of influencers has emerged to promote the product: a crop of young adults called Zynfluencers.

The company's nicotine pouches look a lot like gum, but instead of being chewed, they are stuck between the lip and gums to slowly release low levels of nicotine that are absorbed through the lungs. The company says the lack of spitting and the fact that it doesn't contain tobacco makes the product a healthier alternative to cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco products like chew or snuff, which have been linked to mouth cancer, gum disease and lung problems.

But the company's website includes an age restriction and the pouches are only available in stores where proof of age is required. And the company does not use any online influencers to promote the product. But high school newspapers have been writing about the popularity of nicotine pouches, with one in Minnesota highlighting the "Zynfluencers" and their videos. Another in suburban Chicago focuses on Freezer Tarps, a popular TikTok user who has earned Zyn merch and boasted of his 600-can collection.

Philip Morris representatives say they're aware of the popularity of their products, but they emphasize that Zyn is far less harmful than cigarettes or other alternative nicotine products. Cigarettes have been shown to increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and other diseases, while e-cigarettes have been linked to respiratory illnesses and even brain damage. And while chew and snuff have been linked to gum disease and other health concerns, the FDA gave a lower risk designation to snus, which removes tobacco leaves from the product and carries significantly fewer carcinogens than cigarettes.

The company offers two different levels of nicotine per can, with 3 mg or 6 mg pouches. Each can has a special code on the bottom label that you can enter on the Zyn Rewards page to earn points that can be redeemed for prizes, including Zyn-branded merchandise and gift cards. You can also sign up for the program to receive email updates about the latest deals and promotions. If you're interested in signing up for ZYN Rewards, make sure to check out the terms and conditions and FAQs before starting to redeem your reward codes. https://dailyuploads.net/trp59221jdrx can also contact the customer service team for assistance if you have any questions. They are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.