Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada joined other health agencies and concerned Canadians in applauding the Health Minister for ordering Imperial Tobacco (British American Tobacco) to change the way it markets nicotine pouches in Canada
"The measures announced today will put these novel nicotine products where they belong: behind the pharmacist's counter," said executive director Cynthia Callard. "The new controls will protect kids by ending advertising, labelling and flavourings which are inappropriate for smoking cessation aids."
"By the time Canadian children are back in the classroom, these products will no longer be displayed and sold in the convenience stores where kids stop to buy snacks or candies." The Ministerial Order will require Zonnic pouches to be removed from convenience stores and gas stations before Labour Day weekend.
 |
| ZONNIC display at Giant Tiger, Wellington St, Ottawa. Aug 2024 |
Nicotine pouches are small sachets containing plant fibre, nicotine, flavourings and sweeteners. In Canada they are not permitted for sale as tobacco products. Instead they are regulated as Natural Health Products and are subject to the same rules as traditional nicotine replacement products like gum and patches.
In July 2023, Imperial Tobacco became the first company to receive authorization from Health Canada to sell nicotine pouches as smoking cessation products. When the products entered the market in the early fall, Canadians were alarmed to see the company was using lifestyle imagery and marketing strategies similar to those they used to sell cigarettes, and at the absence of regulations which would prevent this from happening.
"We are deeply appreciative of the urgency with which Minister Holland responded to these concerns, and of the measure he is taking to ensure that the marketing of nicotine pouches is appropriate for their authorized use," said Ms. Callard.
"We also want to acknowledge the speedy contribution of departmental officials who designed flexible and tailored regulatory tools to protect vulnerable citizens, and to thank the parliamentarians who gave the Minister the authority to use these new powers in late June. We also value the initiative of governments like British Columbia which initiated some of these restrictions."
Ms. Callard noted that health departments in other countries are also grappling with the recent introduction of nicotine pouches and their growing popularity among youth. "By making Canada the first country where nicotine pouches are dispensed by pharmacists and where flavours are restricted, Minister Holland is setting an important regulatory precedent." (Australia allows e-cigarettes (vaping products) to be sold only through pharmacies.)
"We can expect tobacco companies and their retail allies to use their their extensive legal and public relations resources to try to defeat these measures." cautioned Ms. Callard. "Canadians should apply the 'scream test' to their response: the more the industry objects to a measure, the more important it is to implement it."
"This fall Canadian children will be better protected from nicotine addiction, but much more needs to be done," said Ms. Callard. "Minister Saks has not finalized the federal regulations to restrict e-cigarette flavours. As a result, this back-to-school season will see even more kids experiment with and become addicted to these fun flavoured products."
Nicotine pouches are regulated under the Food and Drugs Act (which is the responsibility of Health Minister Mark Holland) and tobacco and vaping products are regulated under the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (which is the responsibility of Minister of Addictions Ya'ara Saks).
