The parent company of popular nicotine pouch brand Zyn is coming under fire for pushing “woke” policies.
Zyns, small pillow-like pouches filled with nicotine salts, have been all the rage in recent years among fraternity brothers, former chewing tobacco users and those looking to quit smoking.
But, to the likely dismay of fraternity members, Zyn’s parent company is now under fire for being “woke.”
The manufacturer of the product, the American multinational tobacco company Philip Morris, is the subject of an alert from the advocacy group Consumers’ Research. Its latest ‘Woke Alert’: the group’s designation for companies that promote Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies at the expense of buyers are targeting the popular product.
Zyn are nicotine pouches that have become popular in recent years. Its manufacturer, Philip Morris, is now coming under fire for being “woke” after advocacy group Consumer’s Research issued a “Woke Alert” about its DEI practices.
“Instead of focusing on consumers, Zyn maker Philip Morris has betrayed its own customer base, prioritizing woke politics and putting policies like DEI at the heart of the organization,” said Consumer’s Research CEO , Will Hild, told DailyMail.com in a statement.
“This includes highlighting and driving mandatory diversity quotas in the company and senior management affirming that DEI is most important and must be at the heart of the organization.”
‘These woke policies have made brands like Zyn focus less on quality products and more on political agendas. “Consumers deserve companies that focus on serving customers and not woke politicians,” he added.
Central to the advocacy group’s alert are comments made by Philip Morris Chief Diversity Officer Mimi Kurnuawan about the DEI movement.
Its stated objective is ‘establishing DEI at the heart of our organization.’
Philip Morris International Diversity and Inclusion Team
A Philip Morris International spokesperson did not comment on questions related to the company’s DEI policies.
Mimi Kurniawan, Chief Diversity Officer, Philip Morris International
‘We are currently in the middle of this process, implementing initiatives to help establish DEI throughout our organization, rather than just in pockets, so that it can inform all aspects of our activities, from the market to the communities in which we operate. . and towards society in general,” said Kurnuawan.
But when asked for comment on the company’s DEI policies, a Philip Morris International spokesperson completely ignored it and said they would not participate in politics.
“Philip Morris International prioritizes science, not politics,” they told DailyMail.com.
‘We are focused on innovations that serve our customers regardless of their politics. The dedication, talent and passion of our employees are fundamental to our success.’
The company has also deployed DEI Ambassadors to promote its sermons on the platform’s benefits in online videos.
“We have set very ambitious goals to be more diverse in terms of gender (and) nationalities,” a video states.
Zyn’s parent company has also partnered with the LGBTQ group Stonewall, which has advocated for including more LGBTQ-friendly materials in schools.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Calls on Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 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, worryingly, some minors.
Additionally, Philip Morris has set DEI targets to ensure that at least 40 percent of management positions and 35 percent of senior positions are held by women by 2025.
Although after affirmative action was repealed in 2023, it is unclear how these requirements will be implemented.
Pushing DEI policies has recently gone out of fashion for some large corporations similar to Philip Morris.
Just this week, Toyota announced it was backtracking on 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 product’s dangers to minors at a press conference.
During that event, Schumer asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate Zyn.