Smokeless nicotine pouches, such as Zyn, exist in a gray area when it comes to air travel regulations. While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows these products to be carried in both checked and carry-on luggage, the policies of individual airlines regarding their use onboard remain unclear. This ambiguity has led to confusion among passengers, such as the recent incident where a flight attendant asked a passenger to spit their Zyn out during the journey, sparking a debate about the appropriate use of such products in the air.
The situation is complicated due to varying airline policies: while the TSA permits these pouches in bags, airlines are free to establish their own regulations on the matter. In recent review, several major airlines such as American, United, Alaska, Southwest, JetBlue, and Spirit did not clearly define on their websites whether passengers could use nicotine pouches during flights. This lack of clarity has caused passengers to feel uncertain about what is acceptable. Some have encountered situations where flight attendants have asked them to spit out Zyn, as in the case reported by a traveler on a Delta flight, who mentioned that the attendant said the product was ‘a tobacco product,’ prompting the passenger to comply.
Redditors on the r/delta forum have shared varying perspectives on the issue. Some argue that Zyn is not tobacco and therefore should not be restricted, while others express concerns over the potential for the product to be discarded improperly, such as spitting into cups or leaving them in seat pockets. Others suggest that the product could be used discreetly, similar to nicotine gum or patches, and that the problem may stem from the product’s appearance and how it is handled onboard. This incident illustrates the ongoing debate and ambiguity in the rules governing the use of smokeless tobacco products on airplanes, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines from airlines and regulatory bodies to prevent similar misunderstandings in the future.