I won’t hold back on this. It’s pretty clear that there’s a significant push from the left against working men. They seem to think that changes in children’s sexual identity and cannabis use are entirely normal, while they label nicotine and alcohol as the real villains of society that need to be eradicated. Their latest focus on nicotine pouches is astonishing.

In a piece published in the Washington Post, Dr. Lina Wen—who was quite vocal during the Covid-19 pandemic—warned about the growing issue of nicotine pouches among teenagers. She suggests that this trend could undo the strides made in reducing smoking among high school students.

Dr. Wen argues, “An effective policy should balance between limiting access to young people and maintaining the potential benefits this product can offer to adult smokers looking to stay away from cigarettes.” That seems reasonable enough. I think most parents wouldn’t want their kids using nicotine pouches.

However, she goes on to say that we should enhance regulations by removing unauthorized products, banning online sales, and restricting purchases to regulated retailers like pharmacies. Plus, she advocates for a ban on flavored nicotine products and advertising aimed at younger audiences.

So, is banning online sales of these pouches justified? What about flavored products? These measures feel extreme—almost draconian. It’s as if those pushing for such restrictions forget about personal freedoms, similar to how some accepted mandatory vaccinations during the pandemic without question.

Before we jump to control nicotine use among teenagers, perhaps we need to consider more serious issues at play. It’s a complicated conversation, and we shouldn’t rush into conclusions without addressing the underlying factors affecting our youth.