THE PRESIDENT'S JUNIOR LEADERSHIP COUNCIL PRESENTS:
ZYN IN THE BIN.
It's time to throw it away.
Nicotine pouches, known as "lip pillows" among teens, are quietly addicting a generation. A student-led campaign to expose the truth. Join thousands taking the #PillowFightChallenge2026 and making a real difference.
0
U.S. youth currently using nicotine pouches
0%
of teens who tried pouches are still using them
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increase in sales from 2019 to 2022
0/44
nicotine pouch products contained cancer-causing chemicals
0
U.S. youth currently using nicotine pouches
THE PILLOW CHALLENGE
Grab a pillow, film yourself, and nominate a friend to join the movement!
Challenge them to "Zyn in the Bin" — throw away their pouches on camera
Post with #PillowFightChallenge2026 and tag 3 friends to keep the chain going
Follow @thelippillowproject for features and updates
#PillowFightChallenge2026
tag 3 friends!
Ready? Film yours and tag us.
#Pillow
Fight
Challenge
2026
THE MOVEMENT
Watch members take the challenge — then join them.
Follow us @thelippillowproject for more.
THE CAMPAIGN IN ACTION
📸 Tag @thelippillowproject with #PillowFightChallenge2026
THE FACTS
Zyns are small nicotine pouches placed under the lip that deliver nicotine directly through the gums - no smoke, no vapor, easy to hide. They are often targeted at children and teens, advertising fun flavors and claiming to be a healthier alternative to vaping.
Marketed as a "safer alternative" to vaping - this is misleading
Come in flavors specifically designed to appeal to young people
6mg pouch is equivalent to 1 to 1.5 packs of cigarettes (per 10 pouches)
A 2022 study found 26 of 44 products contained cancer-causing chemicals including formaldehyde, ammonia, chromium, and nickel
WHO IT'S FOR
How to recognize if your child is using Zyns
- •Visible changes in behavior, irritability, headaches, nausea, and loss of appetite
- •Ask their dentist to check — gum irritation, tooth discoloration, dry mouth, and receding gums are oral indicators
- •These pouches are very discreet: no smoke, no odor, no vapor
How to start the conversation
If you've discovered your child is using zyns, remember to be patient and ready to listen. Start by asking what they know — especially what they've seen on social media. Don't lecture. Show them reputable sources about the effects on brain, heart, and gum health.
5 Strategies to Help Them Quit
1. Ask Questions: What triggers cravings? What has been causing stress?
2. Be Patient: Withdrawal causes irritability and mood swings.
3. Remove Temptation: Help them get rid of all nicotine products.
4. Encourage a Plan: Build a list of distraction activities for cravings.
5. Point to Resources: smokefree.gov, the school counselor, and local programs. See links below.
Quitting timeline (the 3-3-3 rule)
First 3 Days
The toughest for physical withdrawal. Nicotine leaves the body.
First 3 Weeks
Symptoms peak then begin to subside. Stay strong.
First 3 Months
Brain chemistry normalizes and the psychological shift sets in. Success feels real.
The Hidden Damage
ORAL HEALTH
IMPACT
Nicotine pouches sit directly against your gum tissue for 20 to 60 minutes at a time. The damage is real, documented, and often permanent.
Gum Irritation & Recession
Nicotine constricts blood flow, causing gums to shrink and pull away from teeth. This process is often irreversible without surgery.
Tooth Decay
Artificial sweeteners and pH adjusters in pouches erode enamel and fuel cavity-causing bacteria, dramatically increasing decay risk.
Oral Ulcers ("Zyn Sores")
Highly concentrated nicotine causes painful white lesions exactly where the pouch sits, a condition now documented increasingly in teen users.
Chronic Bad Breath
Pouches disrupt your mouth's natural microbiome, reducing saliva production and causing persistent bad breath that doesn't go away with brushing.
Peer-reviewed research confirms these risks. See the sources section below for full citations from the American Dental Association, Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine, and more.
You've got this
READY TO DITCH
THE POUCH?
Real support is one text away. These resources are free, confidential, and built for young people.
Text DITCHVAPE to 88709
Truth Initiative's confidential text line, built for teens, available 24/7 and completely free.
Smokefree Teen
Free quit plan, texting program, and teen-specific resources from the U.S. Dept. of Health.
QuitSTART App
A free app with tailored tips, challenges, and distractions to help you stay quit.
Westchester County Resources
Free local tobacco cessation programs and counseling services in Westchester County, NY.
N-O-T (Not On Tobacco)
American Lung Association program designed specifically for teens and young adults ready to quit.
POWR Against Tobacco
Youth-focused organization providing education and resources to fight tobacco and nicotine addiction.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU QUIT
First 3 Days
Nicotine leaves the body and physical withdrawal peaks.
First 3 Weeks
Cravings shrink in frequency and intensity.
First 3 Months
Brain chemistry normalizes. You're over the hardest part.
QUITTING STRATEGIES
→Set a quit date: pick a specific day and commit to it.
→Taper down: gradually reduce the number of pouches per day.
→Identify triggers: stress, boredom, and social situations are common ones.
→Replace the habit: try gum, sunflower seeds, water, or a toothpick.
→Tell a trusted adult, whether that is a parent, counselor, or doctor.