Philip Morris International (PMI) has suspended online sales nationwide of modern oral nicotine pouch Zyn. Sales were suspended on Swedish Match North America’s Zyn.com website following a subpoena from the attorney general of the District of Columbia.
PMI bought Zyn maker Swedish Match North America (SMNA) in 2022. Stamford, Connecticut-based PMI said SMNA, Richmond, Virginia, had received the subpoena “requesting, among other things, information about SMNA’s compliance with D.C.’s ban on the sale of flavored products as it relates to Zyn nicotine pouches.”
The flavor ban in Washington, D.C., took effect in 2022.
PMI said it intends to comply with the attorney general’s request for information concerning sales of its nicotine pouch products in Washington, D.C. PMI said a preliminary investigation indicates that there have been sales of flavored nicotine pouch products in Washington, D.C., predominantly related to certain online sales platforms and some independent retailers.
“Our affiliates are committed to full compliance with the laws and regulations that govern their products,” a spokesperson for Philip Morris International told CSP. “Swedish Match is conducting a full review of its sales and supply chain arrangements in D.C. and other U.S. localities where flavor bans may apply and is temporarily suspending all sales on Zyn.com until that assessment is complete.”
PMI said in the event of an "unfavorable outcome" related to this matter, a material liability is reasonably possible.
In April, Zyn contributed heavily to PMI’s first-quarter profits. The modern oral nicotine pouch had a 79.7% growth in shipment volume for the quarter, the company reported.
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