Nicokick.com and zone nicotine pouches are expanding their motorsports partnership for the 2026 NASCAR Kansas race, using the platform to drive consumer engagement and product visibility. The campaign includes the exclusive launch of a new zone Cranberry pouch and a limited-edition flavor mix tied to driver Kyle Busch, alongside co-branded car livery and promotional activity. The collaboration highlights the growing role of e-commerce in the nicotine pouch category, with Nicokick positioning itself as a regulated, age-verified channel to reach adult consumers.
Tag: Zone
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FDA Allows Fontem to Continue Selling Pouches Amid Court Battle
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed it will not block production or sales of Fontem US’s Zone nicotine pouches while a lawsuit over the product’s pending premarket tobacco product application proceeds, Law 360 reported. Fontem argued that the agency unlawfully delayed reviewing its application, leaving the product in regulatory limbo.
The FDA said it will not take enforcement action during the litigation, allowing the pouches to remain on the market. Fontem recently voluntarily dismissed its suit in Texas and plans to refile in Washington, D.C. The case underscores ongoing tension between regulators and manufacturers over PMTA backlogs and the treatment of newer oral nicotine products, which differ from traditional cigarettes and vapes.
According to Law 360, industry observers believe the court battle could set a precedent for how the FDA handles delayed applications and exercises enforcement discretion in the growing nicotine pouch sector.
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Pouch Maker to Refile FDA Lawsuit in D.C.
Fontem US, the maker of Zone nicotine pouches, has dropped its lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after a Texas federal court transferred the case to South Carolina, saying it plans to refile in Washington, D.C. The company had alleged the FDA was unfairly delaying review of its premarket tobacco product application, which is required to market new nicotine products in the U.S.
U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman in Texas said Fontem had little connection to the state and its congested Northern District, and sent the case to South Carolina, where Fontem is based. By voluntarily dismissing the case, the company is seeking a more favorable venue in D.C. federal court, where many regulatory disputes involving federal agencies are typically heard. Zone is manufactured by TJP Labs in Canada, and marketed by ITG Brands, a subsidiary of Imperial Brands.
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Imperial Vows to Grow Profits 3-5% Over Next Five Years
Today (March 26), Imperial Brands said it will grow annual operating profits by 3-5% and launch a share buyback every year until 2030 as it prepares to set out its growth strategy at a capital markets day.
The company has enjoyed a rebound in sales and returns after retreating to focus on core markets and its tobacco business following an earlier foray into vapes that saw it lose market share. It outlined a new five-year strategy, signaling a continuation of that focus but also an effort to build scale in smoking alternatives, including its e-cigarette brand blu, nicotine pouch brand Zone and heated tobacco device Pulze.
Over the years to 2030, that plan would deliver up to 5% operating profit growth a year, led by smoking alternatives, and an annual share buyback, with free cash flows of up to £3 billion ($3.9 billion) per year, it said in a statement.
“The strategy builds on the firm foundations of our current plan, which has created a better business delivering a stronger, more consistent operational and financial performance, and excellent returns for shareholders,” chief executive Stefan Bomhard said.
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Imperial Sued Over Zone Trademark
Photo: Olivier Le Moal 2ONE Labs and Performance Plus Marketing have filed both a trademark infringement lawsuit and a preliminary injunction against Imperial Brand subsidiaries Zone nicotine pouch trademark.
The suit alleges that Imperial’s Zone products willfully infringe the 2ONE nicotine pouch brand. In addition to seeking an award for damages, 2ONE is also seeking cancellation of Imperial’s Zone mark.
According to the plaintiffs, the 2ONE brand has been continuously marketed and sold to adult consumers through thousands of U.S. convenience chain and independent grocery and smoke shop stores for the last five years.
The suit alleges Imperial Brands made false statements by claiming a significantly earlier use of their mark in commerce than had occurred. The suit further alleges the false statements allowed Zone to be granted a fraudulent mark.
“We have experienced numerous instances of consumer confusion since Imperial launched its Zone brand in 2024 and we intend to vigorously fight this type of blatant infringement, no matter how big the corporate bully,” said 2ONE Labs founder and partner Vincent Schuman in a statement.
The case is before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.