Watch: RFK Jr sneaks trendy Gen Z nicotine pouches during senate grilling
Mr Kennedy, who has been nominated to the role of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary by Donald Trump, was seen briefly covering his mouth to apparently insert the pouch, which has been dubbed 'Gen Z's favourite drug'.
He appeared to adjust the pouch inside his mouth to his gums where oral nicotine pouches normally sit.
On social media users speculated he was using Zyn, a brand of small, flavoured pouches which sit under the consumer's gum and lips, and are surging in popularity.
Marketed as a healthier alternative to cigarettes, the nicotine pouches are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and give the user some of the sensations of smoking.
Mr Kennedy was seen holding a canister of Zyn in Los Angeles in October.
Credit: Fox news
Should he be confirmed as HHS Secretary, Mr Kennedy would have control over the Food and Drug Administration which approved 20 Zyn nicotine pouch products last month.
Packets of Zyn cost around $5 and have enticing names like 'Bellini' or 'citrus' which critics have said encourages young people to buy them.
Marketing campaigns for the pouches have focused on 'Zynfluencers' who tout them as healthy because they are smoke-free and odourless.
But the pouches still contain nicotine, which is addictive and they are illegal for anyone under 21.
Doctors have also voiced concerns about the potential damage to the gums of heavy users.
Last year, Senator Chuck Schumer took aim at Zyn and said it was a 'pouch packed with problems'.
He said: 'These nicotine pouches seem to lock their sights on young kids – teenagers and even lower – and then use social media to hook 'em.'
In 2023 Zyn sold 385 million cases worldwide, an increase of 62 per cent from 2022.
Philip Morris, the company which makes Zyn, has said its marketing is 'focused on preventing underage access'.
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