Have you ever imagined a cigarette without the smell of smoke or indirect smoking? If you have, it's possible with this product that is hitting the U.S. Jet Set generation. It's called Jin Tea Bag, which contains 15 small pouches inside a box. It looks a bit unusual compared to regular cigarettes in square packaging. The pouch contains pure nicotine for absorption in the gums or inner cheek over 20 minutes to an hour. It can be used while working, exercising, or studying. Moreover, with an average price of $88, it is relatively affordable compared to U.S. cigarette prices. Perhaps due to its convenience and reasonable price, the Z generation in the U.S. is now enjoying the Jin trend, as TikTok videos featuring Jin influencers are starting to go viral. The sales of Jin in 23 years have reached 134 million boxes. Even MLB baseball players are switching from smoking to Jin.

The intensity of the popularity is felt, and the surrounding controversy continues. It is because the harmfulness has not been properly proven and there are claims that it could encourage youth smoking. Nicotine pouches are marketed with two main messages. The first is that ultimately it is less harmful to health because we are not burning it, so it is less harmful to health. Since the product has not been out for long and there are not many people who have used it for a long time, we don't know what problems it may cause. However, there are research results on snus, the original of nicotine pouches. Naturally, unlike products that burn tobacco leaves, snus that is not burned or chewed tobacco does not produce smoke, so it is unlikely to cause lung cancer like smoking. However, by placing it between the gums and upper lip.

If we go by usage, it is currently known that the incidence of mouth cancer is about twice as high as that of laryngeal cancer. There is also an argument that the second one promotes smoking. The second marketing message is about flavor and scent. Currently, in the case of Jin, they put nicotine pouches in donuts like Dunkin' Donuts that emit flavors that teenagers like, raising concerns about encouraging the use by teenagers. In January, in the United States, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer urged the FDA to investigate Jin. There are many rumors about this product. Experts say that its landing in Korea is imminent. I think it's 100% true. I think Korea is a country that responds quickly to new things, so tobacco companies are launching new tobacco products in Korea.

I think it would be okay to test and see the market response in a country where regulations on e-liquids are relatively strengthened. When regulations on e-cigarettes become stricter, nicotine pouches are likely to enter the market in Korea automatically. In addition, in Korea, there are companies like KNG and Philip Morris Korea that already have nicotine pouch brands. Therefore, if there is a demand in the Korean market, they can immediately import or manufacture products that can be used in Korea. I predict that it won't be long before these product lines are officially sold in the Korean market. The problem is that currently, there is no procedure in Korea to test or approve new tobacco products. When any tobacco product enters the market in Korea, there is no government agency that inspects, approves, or permits it.

In the United States, if you want to sell cigarettes in the market, you need to obtain approval asking, Can I sell it in the market? However, now one of the conditions for this approval is that the youth smoking rate should not increase due to this new tobacco product. That is one of the key points. After approval, the FDA continues monitoring for two years. If it is said that there is a high possibility that youth will become smokers because of this product, they will immediately prohibit sales. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointed out the possibility of a new type of tobacco, nicotine pouches, entering the domestic market after heated tobacco products like IQOS. What impact will this open the third era of tobacco have on the market? Check out the video recommended by the producer who made this video. To enjoy other videos on SBS News, please subscribe.

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