The parent company of the popular Zyn nicotine pouch brand is coming under fire for pushing its “woke” policy.
Zyn’s small, pillow-like pouches packed with nicotine salts have been all the rage in recent years among fraternity brothers, ex-chewing tobacco users and people looking to quit smoking.
But to the likely dismay of the student association members, Zyn’s parent company is now under fire for being ‘woke’.
The manufacturer of the product, the American tobacco multinational Philip Morris, is the subject of a warning from advocacy group Consumers’ Research. The latest ‘Woke Alert’ – the group’s designation for companies that push diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies at the expense of buyers are aimed at the popular product.
Zyn are nicotine pouches that have become popular in recent years. The manufacturer, Philip Morris, is now being criticized for being ‘woke’ after advocacy group Consumer’s Research issued a ‘Woke Alert’ about their DEI practices
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“Rather than focus on consumers, Zyn manufacturer Philip Morris has instead betrayed its own customer base by prioritizing woke politics and putting policies like DEI at the heart of the organization,” Will Hild, executive director of Consumer’s Research, told DailyMail.com in a statement.
“This includes highlighting and pushing mandatory diversity quotas within the company and top management saying that DEI is most important and should be at the heart of the organization.”
‘This woke policy has led to brands like Zyn focusing less on quality products and more on political agendas. Consumers deserve companies that focus on serving customers and don’t shake up politicians,” he added.
Central to the advocacy group’s warning are comments from Philip Morris’s Chief Diversity Officer, Mimi Kurnuawan, about the DEI movement.
Its stated purpose is ‘Establish DEI at the heart of our organization.”
Philip Morris International Diversity and Inclusion Team
A spokesperson for Philip Morris International did not comment on questions regarding the company’s DEI policy
Mimi Kurniawan, Chief Diversity Officer, Philip Morris International
“We are currently in the middle of this process, introducing initiatives to help establish DEI across our organization – rather than just in the wallet – so that it can inform every aspect of our operations, from the marketplace to the communities we serve , and to society as a whole,” Kurnuawan has said.
But when asked for comment about the company’s DEI policy, a spokesperson for Philip Morris International ignored it completely and said they wouldn’t get involved in politics.
“Philip Morris International puts science first, not politics,” they told DailyMail.com.
“We are laser-focused on innovations that serve our customers, regardless of their politics. The dedication, talent and passion of our employees are crucial to our success.’
The company has also deployed DEI ambassadors to promote their preaching about the platform’s benefits in online videos.
‘We have set ourselves very ambitious goals to be more diverse in terms of gender [and] in terms of nationalities,” one video claims.
Zyn’s parent company is also working with the LGBTQ group Stonewall, which has advocated for more LGBTQ-friendly material to be included in schools.
Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., calls on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate ‘ZYN’ nicotine pouches, owned by Philip Morris International
Schumer said Zyn is a popular product among young adults and troubling among some minors
In addition, Philip Morris has set DEI goals to ensure that at least 40 percent of management and 35 percent of senior positions are filled by women by 2025.
Although affirmative action was reversed in 2023, it is unclear how these requirements will be implemented.
Pursuing DEI policies has recently gone out of fashion for some major companies like Philip Morris.
Just this week, Toyota announced it would roll back some of its DEI initiatives after an activist exposed some of the LGBT programs the company supported.
Earlier this year, the product came under scrutiny after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted the dangers of the product to minors during a press conference.
At that event, Schumer called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate Zyn.
