Snus in Sweden, Zyn all over TikTok and now, Zonnic in Canada. Nicotine pouches have been gaining profile, from Major League baseball dugouts to Joe Rogan’s podcast.

What are they? How are they different from vapes, dip and cigarettes? Are they a helpful tool for people looking to quit, or just hooking a new generation?

First, freelance journalist Ashwin Rodrigues takes us through the product’s rise in the U.S. and then CBC’s Marina von Stackelberg tells us why Zonnic, the brand being sold in Canada, is already controversial.

For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts

Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.