Gen Z’s New Favorite Habit Isn’t The Miracle Drug It’s Memed To Be

Gen Z has found its drug of choice: nicotine pouches. Despite the success of the anti-smoking campaigns of the last few decades, many Zoomers are embracing a discreet, smokeless nicotine dosing method. But while the Zoomers are dodging the smoke inhalation dangers of a cigarette habit, few admit that nicotine pouches are not the miracle drug they’re memed to be.

Sure, proponents tout nicotine as a productivity and mood booster — it’s a stimulant after all — but the ill effects of cigarettes were never limited to just smoke inhalation. And before the meme keeps spreading, we owe Gen Z a few truths about our generation’s new habit. 

For starters, the stimulant boost of nicotine comes with the double-edged sword of being a vasoconstrictor, meaning it constricts blood vessels. In turn, that effect causes restricted blood flow, increased blood pressure, and increased heart rate — and results in potential cardiac problems. Another downstream effect of vasoconstrictors is periodontal disease. And while receding gums may sound unalarming to a 20-something Zyn user, periodontal disease is a horror show of photos for the curious researcher. When untreated (or untreatable), it progresses to exposed tooth roots, bone loss, tooth loss, gum grafts, bone grafts, and dental implants. Not to mention its link to heart disease. 

Beyond the nicotine itself, there’s also some evidence to suggest that nicotine pouches may contain the contaminant nitrosamine, which is linked to a range of cancers. And while pouches like Zyn do not contain tobacco, dip and other smokeless nicotine products that do contain tobacco still cause mouth and throat cancer. 

While all of these physical effects are less than appealing, there are plenty of more physically harmful habits many Americans have taken up over the years — like smoking. Of course, all stimulants and drugs will have side effects. Just ask your local coffee addict how she feels if she misses her first (or fifth) cup. But what does it say about us as a society if we’re tying our daily routine to a stimulant-crash cycle? 

Certainly, there’s something noble about a soldier calming his nerves before war with a cigarette and getting hopped up on the nicotine. We admire the doctor who pushes through the end of his shift with another cup of joe. We champion the manic CEO who is innovating the future. As Americans, we know the value of doing whatever it takes to get the job done — and doing it better than anyone else.

But these are exceptions to the rule. Should the suburban Zoomer working a laptop job, the countryside’s Gen Z welder arriving early to the construction site, or the young urbanite grinding on side hustles be proud to ride the highs and lows of a nicotine habit? 

The work ethic that might drive the adoption of a Zyn habit is pure American greatness, but there’s also a point to that work ethic. Creating and providing for a family, building a better future, and living a well-rounded life are meaningful results from the young American’s grind. That future is far brighter for a healthy man or woman, a person in his prime and with a long, active life ahead of him. 

A stimulant’s mood swings, dependency, and end-of-day crash are a sorry state to live in, especially for a Zoomer who should have all the vibrancy of youth. Sure, early adulthood is a good time to grind, but it’s also a time to set up habits that shape the rest of our lives — ideally healthy ones. There are plenty of obstacles for young Americans to overcome, but the daily grind is not the same as the day of a soldier facing life or death or the doctor called in last minute for a long shift. Lesser trials might call for lesser vices, like a simple cup of coffee or strong tea. 

When it comes to vices, my generation could do far worse than nicotine, especially when a large swath of Gen Z is taking advantage of America’s pot-legalizing streak. But extolling a vice and becoming dependent on a drug to function are also a far cry from occasionally engaging in that vice and emphasizing moderation. Or better yet, cultivating a life of healthy habits. 

The triumph of ordinary habits doesn’t have the same clout as popping another Zyn, or even boasting about a coffee addiction, but it also represents a person whose life is in order and who has the extreme discipline needed in an age of slop and convenience to wake up early, go to bed early, stop doomscrolling, and fuel with real food. That’s a better future for Gen Z, and America. 

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Jordan Jantz is the assistant editor at IW Features as well as a freelance writer, editor, and website designer.

This article is part of Upstream, The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.