Zyn Lawsuit Over Nicotine Pouch Addiction Set for Trial in December 2026

Florida woman’s lawsuit alleges Zyn’s deceptive marketing practices caused her to develop a nicotine addiction as a minor.

One of the first lawsuits filed in Florida over a young woman’s Zyn nicotine pouch addiction has been scheduled for trial in late 2026, with the court directing both sides to participate mediation beforehand in hopes of reaching a settlement.

The Zyn nicotine pouch addiction lawsuit was originally brought by Alannah Friedman in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida last month, naming Philip Morris International, Inc., Swedish Match North America, LLC, Swedish Match USA, Inc., Philip Morris Global Brands, Inc., and PMI Global Services, Inc. as defendants.

Friedman claims that Zyn’s deceptive marketing practices caused her to become dependent upon nicotine as a teenager, leading to an ongoing addiction and a myriad of potential health issues.

Zyn nicotine pouches are tobacco-free, smokeless products intended to be placed between the upper lip and gum, allowing nicotine to be absorbed through the lining of the mouth and directly into the bloodstream. Although they contain no tobacco leaves, the pouches combine nicotine with other ingredients to offer a discreet method of nicotine delivery.

In recent years, Zyn’s popularity has grown rapidly among teenagers and young adults, prompting concerns over potential addiction risks, and the manufacturers’ marketing tactics, which largely target young individuals and prior non-smokers. As these concerns mount, lawsuits have been brought against the manufacturers, alleging that Zyn pouches are misleadingly advertised to appeal to teens and are falsely presented as tools to help quit nicotine, contributing instead to rising addiction rates among youth.

On May 5, U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas issued an order (PDF) in response to Friedman’s complaint, scheduling the case to go before a jury on December 7, 2026, and directing both sides to attempt mediation before that date.

The order outlines a timeline for key steps leading up to the trial. Both sides must make any changes or additions to their claims or defenses by September 15, 2025. They then have until June 26, 2026, to gather all evidence, interview witnesses, and complete discovery, which is the process where each party shares information with the other.

Pretrial motions, where the parties can ask the judge to make rulings on legal issues before trial, are due by July 24, 2026. This includes Daubert motions, which are used to challenge the credibility or reliability of expert witnesses, and must be filed at least 60 days before the final pretrial conference.

In addition, the judge ordered the parties to complete mediation, a process where a neutral third party will helps both explore a potential Zyn lawsuit settlement. While the judge encouraged the lawyers to use a certified mediator from the court’s list, they may choose anyone they agree on, so long as the process is completed no later than 60 days before the trial begins.

Zyn Lawsuit Brought by City of Baltimore

In addition to Friedman’s complaint, the city of Baltimore filed a Zyn lawsuit against Philip Morris International and Swedish Match earlier this month, raising similar allegations that the company has engaged in marketing campaigns deliberately targeting youth.

The city is seeking civil penalties and injunctive relief under Baltimore’s Consumer Protection Ordinance, raising allegations that the companies violated local laws by deceptively promoting Zyn to children and teens.

Baltimore’s lawsuit over the company’s alleged tactics raises concerns over the serious health risks associated with nicotine use in children, citing that medical experts warn that even “tobacco-free” products like Zyn can impair brain development, elevate anxiety and depression levels, and increase long-term risks of addiction, cardiovascular issues and oral injuries.