Why Robert F. Kennedy's Use Of A Nicotine Pouch Is Controversial

Nathan Chilcott

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) was born in January 1954 and started out as assistant district attorney in Manhattan. By the mid-1980s he was focused on environmental protection and even became an adjunct professor of environmental law.

Despite his incredibly famous father, he was a latecomer to the political scene. In fact, he first ran as a Democrat and then started an independent campaign to be president in the 2024 elections.

Ultimately, he withdrew from the president’s race and backed Donald Trump.

"On the 1st February 2025, RFK Jr. was sworn in as the 26th secretary of health and human services.”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Use Of Nicotine Pouches

Just after Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election he announced he would nominate Kennedy as the secretary of health and human services.

It took two months for Kennedy to appear before the senate committees and his confirmation for the role to be processed.

Nicotine pouches are designed to be discreet. Unfortunately, RFK Jr. wasn’t. He was at the confirmation hearing and was seen to put a nicotine pouch into his mouth.

It’s impossible to say if it was an FDA approved ZYN or one of the other nicotine pouch brands.

It’s potentially great publicity for the nicotine pouch industry.

Why His Use Of Pouches Is Controversial

RFK Jr. was already a controversial choice for this high-powered position. He has publically criticised vaccines since 2005.

In addition, he is well-known for adopting conspiracy theories and spreading them through his various platforms.

Spreading misinformation is a concern, especially when it’s a high-profile person doing it. Now, he is effectively in charge of the health policy for the US and his personal views could potentially be harmful to all US citizens.

According to RFK Jr. vaccines cause autism.

He’s also known for urging parents to resist the “guidelines” from the CDC regarding children’s vaccines.

In fact, a study of social media platform X showed he was the top spreader of misinformation.

It’s easy to see how the nicotine pouch controversy fits in. As health secretary, RFK Jr. will be in charge of public health policy.

In recent years, thanks to targeted campaigns, the use of cigarettes has declined dramatically. For some, nicotine pouches are a replacement.

However, while nicotine pouches are recognised as a vital part of any tobacco harm reduction strategy, there is still controversy regarding their effects on health. In addition, people are concerned about usage among young people.

Studies are still ongoing to confirm the health effects of nicotine pouches.

The concern is that RFK Jr. is clearly biased and this will affect his policy-making decisions.

Summing Up

Of course, if he is biased when considering nicotine pouches and is against vaccines, it seems likely that many accepted health policies in the US will be changing.

That’s bad news for US residents, healthcare, and even the pharmaceutical industry.

It’s no wonder so many people are upset by his appointment.