Rachael Joyner’s journey from learner to Duke clinician showcases the transformational impact of the Duke-UNC Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training Program.

In the last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began publicly acknowledging harm reduction as a legitimate principle within its regulatory framework. Through its Premarket Tobacco Product Application process, companies can gain authorization to sell their products in the U.S. An important distinction here is that these products are not recognized by the FDA as being safe or approved for treatment of tobacco use disorder.

These new tobacco products are becoming popular, and it is important to understand the health risks of nicotine pouches. In January, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the marketing and sale of 20 different Zyn nicotine pouch products. This does not mean these products are approved by the FDA as a safe drug. It simply means they’ve allowed the company to sell these tobacco products in the US.