I had seen Zyn NT online before but didn't have much interest in reviewing it at the time. However, I recently heard that Zyn NT is expanding in a big way in the US and being an advocate for harm reduction, I wanted to write about it. It originally launched in 2015 in Colorado and Montana in 4 flavors. Recently it expanded to 6 flavors and is pushing into more states in the US. This year you will be able to find it in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Washington and Oregon. It's a really interesting product. ZynNT can be stored at room temperature and has a one year shelf life from the date it’s manufactured. It also has the first and only child resistant lid, which can be difficult to open at first, even for an adult. Also, these cans do not have a catch lid. But, you may be asking yourself, "What is Zyn NT"?
ZynNT has non-woven pouches which contain flavor, non-tobacco filler, nicotine salts and pH balancers which help enhance the nicotine delivery. Basically the nicotine is soaked out of the tobacco leaves using high pH water then it is filtered to remove any elements of tobacco. What you have left is pure nicotine salt. You'll notice it looks much like table salt. If you're interested in a more detailed explanation of the science behind ZynNT, my friend Larry at SnusCENTRAL.org wrote a
great article on that. There are 15 portions in a can with each portion weighing 0.4 grams. The portions are about the same length and width as a regular snus portion, but are much, much slimmer. They are virtually flat. The cans are also the same diameter as a regular snus can, but are also a little bit slimmer.
The flavor description for Zyn NT Spearmint says, "
A smoother, slightly sweeter mint." The portions are interesting to touch. I've had purified portions in the past, but these didn't feel quite as dry. When you open the can, the aroma that comes through is a very faint, mild spearmint smell. The aroma is also not overly sweet, which I find to be nice. The portions feel softer to the lip than I expected. They're thinner than a regular snus pouch, but don't feel as small as a mini portion. The flavor takes a little while to develop; at first you don't notice much taste at all. At around the 5 to 10 minute mark you'll start to notice the taste of spearmint. It comes on in a very, very mild way. Also, like the aroma, it isn't too overbearingly sweet, which I appreciate. The flavor does mature to become more present, but it doesn't get to be too bold. It's a surprisingly enjoyable taste. I find the flavor lasts up to about the 45 minutes to 1 hour mark. When it comes to the nicotine, there are two strengths: 3mg and 6mg. With the 6mg, I do experience satisfaction. I use mostly 8mg/g snus, and with the 6mg level I did notice nicotine and felt the same level of satisfaction I feel with my usual snus. With the 3mg level, I didn't notice much nicotine, so I imagine this is going to be for someone who doesn't need as much nicotine. If you've used mini portion snus before, it feels to deliver about the same amount of nicotine.
So the ultimate question is this: "Is Zyn NT for me"? Personally, this product isn't for me. I'm a snuser, and that is my product of choice. But that doesn't mean it's not a good product. I am an advocate for harm reduction in all forms. I know a lot of people want to quit smoking and tobacco but don't want to quit nicotine. The gum doesn't work for everyone, the patch doesn't work for everyone, medicine doesn't work for everyone, and many people don't want to vape or snus. This is a product that I think needs to exist, because it's a way that people can enjoy nicotine in a non traditional way. If you're looking to quit smoking but don't want to vape, snus, dip or use any pharmaceutical aids, I definitely suggest giving Zyn NT a try. Harm reduction comes in all shapes and sizes, and anything that helps people quit smoking is a product that I can support.
Check out our video review:
Seems like there's a quiet revolution going on right now in the harm reduction/ST scene. Very cool. More choice for consumers, more profits for manufactures, more sales for tobacco farmers. Seems like a win-win.
ReplyDeleteSo I have one of these in my upper lip right now. It's a coffee flavored one. They had samples at Phx Pride for a buck. It definitely smells like coffee. It's tingling & kind of stinging. Maybe I have too much gum disease to handle it?
ReplyDeleteDoes this product contain aspartame or sucralose?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIts being marketed as a tobacco cessation tool. If you use regular long cut (~13mg of nicotine) then move to snus (8mg), then to 6mg zyn and finally the 3mg dose.
ReplyDeleteI will have to totally disagree with the comments I read I purchased a 6mg spearmint flavor. I placed it in my mouth in my cheek and it wasn't overbearingly powerful hit experiment almost burning my throat literally started to close off and I could barely breathe it was so intensely strong it was not the least bit mild it took me after spitting it out about 5 minutes to get my breathing back to where I felt okay it literally felt like my throat was closing up because it was so intensely strong I would be very careful using this product
ReplyDeleteI normally vape, but work in the dental profession and don't usually get breaks. A patient gave me one the other day and it was a life saver! As soon as I got off work I went and bought some. On my 13 hour days I will for sure be using these.
ReplyDelete