Fox News correspondent Griff Jenkins reported that President Donald Trump‘s Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., said on Wednesday that nicotine pouches are the “safest way” to consume nicotine.
(Kennedy said: “Nicotine pouches are probably the safest way to consume nicotine, with vapes being second.”)
In a segment resembling a product promotion, Jenkins smiled at the camera and held a tin of ZYN near his face while he said, “Well, you may have seen these little tins are popping up everywhere. Inside are small white tobacco-free nicotine pouches you place between your gum and lip, as a smoke-free, spit-free alternative to tobacco.”
Note: Nicotine is highly addictive. When consuming a pouch, the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream through mucous membranes in one’s mouth.
RFK Jr., the HHS Secretary, states that nicotine pouches are the safest way to consume nicotine, and vapes are the second-best alternative to cigarettes. pic.twitter.com/e32X2f6sUY
— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) August 27, 2025
After he led into a video clip of Kennedy saying “Nicotine does not cause cancer,” Jenkins reminded viewers that Kennedy “sparked speculation as being a supporter, back in January, when he appeared to pop one in his mouth during his confirmation hearing.”
The competition can try to steal the spotlight, but they can’t steal the truth.
— Alp Pouch (@alppouch) January 31, 2025
Fact Check: RFK was using ALP. It’s time to set the record straight. Flood the feeds and let them know the truth.#ALP #RFKJr pic.twitter.com/wjcKngVwVZ
[Note: In January, former Fox News star Tucker Carlson launched the tobacco company ALP Nicotine Pouches at the home of fellow former Fox News star and conservative radio personality Dave Ramsey. MAGA celebrity Mel Gibson attended the event as did MAGA-aligned Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), among others. According to ALP, Kennedy consumed an ALP pouch at his hearing, see below.]
We do not condone the use of anything but ALP at congressional hearings. #ALP #congress #ABetterTime #RFK pic.twitter.com/FtbcOvJrn9
— Alp Pouch (@alppouch) January 30, 2025
In his report, Jenkins did mention that “The FDA is not on board, they have not approved of nicotine pouches as a smoking alternative.”
While the FDA has allowed for marketing of nicotine pouches, which it considers a tobacco product, the agency has also stated: “There is no safe tobacco product; youth should not use tobacco products and adults who do not use tobacco products should not start.”
The CDC also wrote: “Tobacco products, in any form, are unsafe. This is especially true for children, teens, and young adults. Tobacco products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm the developing brain” and “Preventing tobacco product use among youth is critical to reducing tobacco use among the nation’s youth.”
.jpg){kind=link}