The ZYN class action lawsuits accuse Philip Morris International and its subsidiary Swedish Match North America of deceiving consumers by labeling ZYN nicotine pouches as “tobacco-free” when the nicotine is extracted from tobacco leaves, by using vague strength labels that hide how much nicotine users actually absorb, and by marketing the pouches in ways that reach young people. Multiple federal cases filed since early 2024 have survived motions to dismiss, with a Florida judge letting key claims proceed in March 2025 and a Miami judge clearing a deceptive trade claim in December 2025. No case has reached trial or settlement.
What the “Tobacco-Free” Claim Is Really About
The core factual dispute is simple. ZYN pouches are sold with “tobacco-free” labeling, but the nicotine inside them is extracted from tobacco. Plaintiffs call the claim “literally false” and argue it leads buyers to believe the pouches carry none of the health risks associated with tobacco. The complaint in Siegert v. Swedish Match North America, LLC, filed September 26, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, alleges the tobacco-derived nicotine likely brings with it compounds found in tobacco, including formaldehyde, ammonia, nickel, chromium, and carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines.1Classaction.org. Siegert v. Swedish Match North America, LLC et al. Complaint
The FDA itself classifies ZYN as a tobacco product. In January 2025 it authorized 20 ZYN products through the premarket tobacco product application pathway and said the authorization does not permit “reduced risk claims.”2U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Authorizes Marketing of 20 ZYN Nicotine Pouch Products After Extensive Scientific Review
The Nicotine Strength Labels
Plaintiffs also challenge ZYN’s “3mg” and “6mg” labels as misleadingly vague. The Siegert complaint alleges the numbers do not tell consumers how much nicotine they will actually absorb or how the pouches compare to cigarettes, causing users to underestimate the products’ addictive potential.1Classaction.org. Siegert v. Swedish Match North America, LLC et al. Complaint
Research cited by MD Anderson Cancer Center found that a single 6mg pouch produced 17.5 nanograms per milliliter of nicotine in the blood after 30 minutes, compared with 11.4 ng/mL from one cigarette.3MD Anderson Cancer Center. What To Know About Nicotine Pouches A study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology in May 2024 reported that nicotine extraction rates from pouches varied from 24% to 52% depending on strength.4National Library of Medicine. Small Pouches, but High Nicotine Doses — Nicotine Delivery and Acute Effects After Use of Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches
Marketing to Young People
Several complaints allege the defendants market ZYN to young consumers. The lawsuit in Wolters v. Swedish Match North America LLC alleges the companies use social media influencers, dubbed “Zynfluencers,” to promote the product on platforms like TikTok, and that flavors such as wintergreen, peppermint, spearmint, and cinnamon are designed to attract younger users. It points to slogans including “Freedom,” “Finding Your Curiosity,” and “Find Your Zyn.”5Classaction.org. ZYN Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Unreasonably Dangerous Nicotine Pouches Are Advertised to Kids
Research from the Truth Initiative, published in Tobacco Control in January 2026, found a “reciprocal relationship” between the volume of pouch-related TikTok content and retail sales data. After a viral spike in TikTok content, nicotine pouch sales rose by more than 12 million units and then climbed above 20 million the following month. Researchers compared the pattern to the early trajectory of JUUL, whose youth usage grew from under 2% in 2011 to over 20% in 2018.6Truth Initiative. Viral Zynfluencer TikTok Videos May Be Linked to Growing Nicotine Pouch Market
Where the Cases Stand
Florida Consolidated Litigation
Two consumer class actions, Kelly v. Philip Morris International Inc. (No. 0:24-cv-60437) and Palmer v. Philip Morris International Inc. (No. 0:24-cv-60522), were filed in the Southern District of Florida. On March 19, 2025, Judge William P. Dimitrouleas partially denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss, allowing claims for design defect, failure to warn, and negligence to proceed. Fraudulent concealment and medical monitoring claims were dismissed without prejudice, meaning plaintiffs may refile them with more detail. The court also rejected Philip Morris’s argument that Florida lacked jurisdiction, pointing to the company’s marketing and sales activity in the state.7Top Class Actions. Class Actions Over Addictive ZYN Nicotine Pouches Can Proceed, Judge Rules On May 30, 2025, Judge Dimitrouleas consolidated four ZYN cases in the district for discovery.8HarrisMartin. ZYN Nicotine Pouch Lawsuits Consolidated in Fla. Federal Court for Discovery
Miami Deceptive Trade Ruling
A federal judge in Miami denied Philip Morris’s motion to dismiss a deceptive trade claim on December 12, 2025. The complaint described ZYN as “a recent iteration of the tobacco industry’s historical practice of designing a nicotine delivery device that hooks children to nicotine while making them think it is not dangerous or harmful.”9Daily Business Review. Miami Federal Judge Allows Deceptive Trade Claim Against ZYN Makers
Siegert v. Swedish Match (Connecticut)
Filed September 26, 2025, in the District of Connecticut (No. 3:25-cv-01606), Siegert is a nationwide consumer class action. Austin Siegert, a New York resident, alleges violations of consumer protection laws and breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, seeking equitable and monetary relief exceeding $5 million under the Class Action Fairness Act.1Classaction.org. Siegert v. Swedish Match North America, LLC et al. Complaint10Truth in Advertising. ZYN Pouches
Doe v. Philip Morris (California)
Filed March 29, 2024, in the Eastern District of California (No. 2:24-at-00393), Doe v. Philip Morris International Inc. alleges the defendants marketed ZYN as “healthy” and as a “nicotine-cessation device” without FDA authorization for either claim. The complaint asserts violations of California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, False Advertising Law, and Unfair Competition Law, plus unjust enrichment and common law fraud.11Classaction.org. Doe v. Philip Morris International Inc. et al. Complaint
Baltimore’s City Lawsuit
On May 7, 2025, the City of Baltimore sued Philip Morris International, Swedish Match North America, and Swedish Match USA in Baltimore Circuit Court under the city’s Consumer Protection Ordinance. The complaint alleges manipulative marketing that targets children and teens through social media, flavored products, and a rewards program using discounts and exclusive events to retain young customers.12The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore Sues ZYN Manufacturer
Injury Allegations
Some plaintiffs allege physical harm, not just economic loss. The Wolters complaint claims the defendants failed to warn adequately about nicotine addiction and about cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, immune, and reproductive risks.5Classaction.org. ZYN Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Unreasonably Dangerous Nicotine Pouches Are Advertised to Kids Other filings cite oral injuries such as gum recession, periodontal disease, mouth sores, and lesions. The FDA’s own guidance states that “there is no safe tobacco product,” and the January 2025 authorization is not an endorsement of safety.2U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Authorizes Marketing of 20 ZYN Nicotine Pouch Products After Extensive Scientific Review
The DC Settlement
One ZYN-related enforcement action has already resolved. In December 2024, the District of Columbia Attorney General announced a $1.2 million settlement with Swedish Match North America over allegations that the company violated DC’s 2022 flavored tobacco ban and the Consumer Protection Procedures Act. After receiving an investigative subpoena, Swedish Match halted nationwide sales from shop.zyn.com and agreed to monitor distributor compliance with the flavor ban quarterly, send annual compliance reminders to retailers, and prohibit all future e-commerce sales of flavored tobacco products into DC.13Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. Attorney General Schwalb Announces ZYN Settlement
How Philip Morris Has Responded
Philip Morris and Swedish Match have contested the lawsuits, filing motions to dismiss that were largely denied, with certain claims dismissed only with leave to amend.7Top Class Actions. Class Actions Over Addictive ZYN Nicotine Pouches Can Proceed, Judge Rules9Daily Business Review. Miami Federal Judge Allows Deceptive Trade Claim Against ZYN Makers
On the marketing question, the company says ZYN “is for adults 21+ — period,” and states that Swedish Match “does not use social media influencers in the U.S. or anyone under the age of 35 in its marketing strategy.” Philip Morris says it uses independent age-verification systems and age-gated digital platforms. In response to Baltimore’s suit, Philip Morris said it had not yet been served and intended to defend itself vigorously.14CBS News Baltimore. Maryland ZYN Nicotine Pouches Flavors Deceptive Marketing
The Regulatory Backdrop
Swedish Match has separately applied to the FDA for “modified risk tobacco product” status, which would let the company tell consumers that switching from cigarettes to ZYN carries lower risks of diseases such as lung cancer and heart disease. That application remains under scientific review. The FDA’s Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee discussed it in January 2026, and the public comment period closed in March 2026. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association submitted comments opposing the reduced-risk designation, citing youth uptake and ZYN’s use of nicotine salts and flavors.15U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Swedish Match USA, Inc. Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) Applications – ZYN Products
The FDA noted in January 2025 that 1.8% of U.S. middle and high school students reported currently using nicotine pouches, and the agency reserved the right to suspend or withdraw ZYN’s marketing authorization if there is a “notable increase in youth initiation.”2U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Authorizes Marketing of 20 ZYN Nicotine Pouch Products After Extensive Scientific Review16Philip Morris International. PMI Full-Year Results1Classaction.org. Siegert v. Swedish Match North America, LLC et al. Complaint