Lucy, a competitor of the popular nicotine pouch Zyn, is delivering on an "unexpected" ask from firefighters battling the blazes devastating parts of Southern California.
Why It Matters
Firefighters have been hard at work trying to contain the Palisades fire, Eaton fire and Hurst fire, which have killed at least 24 people and destroyed at least 12,000 structures in the Los Angeles area since last week.
Powerful gusts arriving Monday through Wednesday could push the fires south and westward, threatening to exacerbate the crisis as firefighters have managed to begin containing the fires. According to the National Weather Service, extreme fire danger will continue through Wednesday.
What to Know
John Coogan, co-founder of Lucy Nicotine, told Newsweek the company has been responding to requests for nicotine pouches for firefighters on the frontlines of the California fires.
"We definitely want to help out however we can," he said. "The request for nicotine pouches is a little unexpected, but honestly understandable given the constraints these heroic firefighters are under. I'd certainly want a break if I was out there on the front lines, so I get it."
Follow Newsweek's live blog as we provide live updates on the Los Angeles fires and their impact.
Many reports about firefighters wanting nicotine pouches spread across social media as many have organized donation efforts to support California fighters. Coogan said people sent him these posts, and he then got in touch with organizations.
"We immediately dispatched several cases of our product to fire stations and supply distribution centers that requested products," he said.
He noted that the company is charging people $1 to ensure compliance with the law, and they are prioritizing unflavored products to comply with laws banning flavored nicotine products in the state.
"It's all a bit of a mess, and I can only hope that our product gets into the hands of adult firefighters who already use these products. These situations are so chaotic, but hopefully it all works out," he said.
Nicotine pouches are viewed as a safer alternative than smoking tobacco products but are not risk-free and may cause mouth diseases, nicotine addiction and cardiovascular health concerns, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Donations have poured in for firefighters and the Los Angeles communities amid widespread destruction caused by the fires. Beyoncé, for instance, has donated $2.5 million to support relief efforts. The American Red Cross has received a flood of support as it aids in these efforts.
What People Are Saying
California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a recent statement: "We are moving rapidly to support state and local law enforcement and firefighters to respond to the Eaton Fire threatening Altadena and Pasadena as extremely critical fire weather continues in Southern California. To all those in the region, remain vigilant and listen to local authorities."
President Joe Biden said in a statement about the wildfires: "My Administration will do everything it can to support the response. I urge the residents of the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles to stay vigilant and listen to local officials."
What Happens Next
Firefighters will continue to battle the fires as they continue to threaten to spread over the coming days, and companies, individuals and charities continue to rally behind them and their communities.
English (US) ·