Traveller left shocked after flight attendant demands plane passenger gets rid of popular item

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

A plane passenger left social media users shocked after revealing they were instructed by a flight attendant to 'spit out' a popular product used by a growing number of adults.
In a post uploaded to the popular Reddit community, r/Delta, the passenger detailed their exchange on a Delta flight, adding that he complied 'right away' in getting rid of the item.
The US-based flyer, who goes by u/Aquahammer, said that the item in question was a tobacco-free nicotine pouch.
Marketed as a smoke-free alternative to traditional products, nicotine pouches are designed to be placed between the gum and lip, where nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Brands such as ZYN, VELO, Nordic Spirit and Rogue have gained popularity in recent years, with roughly 1.1 per cent of British adults currently using nicotine pouches, while 6 per cent have tried them, according to Action on Smoking and Health.
In the Reddit post, the passenger shared: 'Got told to spit my Zyn out on a flight, I really didn't know that was a thing? Delta flight, first class (not that that matters).'
The person added: 'They brought a cup out and asked me to spit my zyn out. They said it was because it was a tobacco product. I didn't put up a fight and complied right away. Was just wondering if this was an FAA thing I didn't know about?'
The post has since amassed over 80 comments as fellow Redditors shared their thoughts about using nicotine pouches during flights.
One person wrote: 'Delta policy bans "smokeless tobacco" products. Zyn is of course not a smokeless tobacco product (no tobacco), but I wouldn't want to get pedantic with a flight attendant. So just be more sneaky about it next time.'
However, another challenged: 'It's rather confusing. What constitutes a "smokeless product"? Are they implying smokeless tobacco products? Zyn, for instance, is not a tobacco product at all - its nicotine is synthetically derived.
'I also wonder why nicotine pouches are not allowed on flights. I understand chewing tobacco since you need to dispose of it in an unhygienic way. But nicotine pouches are unobtrusive, no less hygienic than gum, don't produce vapors or other noticeable smells...'
A third contributor hit back: 'Tobacco or not, does it cause you to spit into a bottle or cup that could spill or be left stuffed in the seat pocket that someone else has to clean up? Then I'd say it doesn't matter what you call it.'
One person warned the passenger: 'It's allowed but be discreet, I see many people using them on flights myself included and as long as you're not doing it right in front of an FA you're fine.
However, one plane passenger shared: 'I had a FA confirm that Zyns are not allowed which is crazy. I was in Delta one and she told me they aren't allowed but she doesn't care. I think she just wanted me to hide it from the other FAs. I don't get it though.'
A United Airlines flyer added: 'I was on a United flight a few days ago and the shopping/menu magazine in the seatback actually had a Zyn add in it. It said something like "Flight ready".'
It comes after another plane passenger reignited an etiquette debate about wearing shoes and socks on flights in 2024.
Sharing their thoughts on a post to Reddit, the user - who posted under MilitaryBaker - sparked a fierce debate over the matter.
Posting to the Unpopular Opinion subreddit, the disgruntled flyer wrote: 'You should not be allowed to take off your shoes or socks on a plane.'
'Planes are already one of the most horribly smelling places you can be,' the user wrote.
They went on to acknowledge that although it is more 'comfortable,' some people's feet are 'literally intolerable.'