The making of ‘lifestyle addictions’

We have been banging on about how the companies aren't that interested in smoking cessation, they want to make nicotine in its various forms just another 'lifestyle addiction' like booze and coffee. This is how you do it. Excellent article by Alaina Demopoulos in The Guardian.

Philip Morris for their Nicotine Pouch company Zyn have a scheme where the funky tins have QR codes so people can collect points to redeem for items like iPads and Tori Birch handbags. This not only keeps the users loyal, but ropes in the partners and families to push them to buy them too.

"These used to annoy the shit out of me, laying everywhere, collecting dust … He goes through them like literal crack.” explained the girlfriend of a Zyn taker. Now she's not bothered because she 'saving up for 1,500 points, which gets an Amazon gift card'. Genius.

But what's the harm you might say? These pouches are better than cigs and better than vapes, why the drama?

Honestly, you don't want a nicotine addiction, 'literal crack' not far away, it is one of the most addictive substances. Not only do you end up with an expensive habit (in the non-drug and drug-related sense!) which does your head in because you can't stop, but can be a gateway to other addictive nicotine products, vapes and cigs, which give you the nicotine hit quicker and cause much more harm.

Dentists say they cause gum disease and there is growing evidence they can cause heart disease and high blood pressure. They really aren't worth it.

And you really don't want to give any more money to Phillip Morris the cigarette and Ultra Processed Foods company. They have enough.