Overview

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, appeared to use a nicotine pouch during his Senate confirmation hearing on January 30, 2025.
• Footage showed Kennedy inserting an item into his mouth, sparking speculation online that it was a Zyn-brand nicotine pouch, a product he has been seen carrying in the past.
• Nicotine pouches, marketed as a smoke-free alternative to cigarettes, still contain addictive substances and have raised health concerns, including potential gum damage.
• If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee the FDA, which recently approved 20 Zyn nicotine products, a move criticized for potentially appealing to younger consumers.
• Kennedy’s nomination has been controversial due to his history of fringe health claims and his alignment with Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which includes opposition to vaccines and processed foods.