Canada Implements Ban on Flavoured Nicotine Pouches in Convenience Stores

Starting August 28, 2024, the Canadian federal government will impose new restrictions on the sale of flavoured nicotine pouches. The pouches, notably marketed under the brand name Zonnic, will only be available from behind pharmacy counters, thus banning their sale in convenience stores and gas stations.

Health Minister Mark Holland announced this measure, indicating that flavours such as Berry Frost and Tropic Breeze would be recalled. Only mint and menthol flavours are permitted to be sold in pharmacies. Holland stated, «All the stuff that’s clearly designed to target youth — it’s over.» This announcement follows nearly ten months of government efforts to curb the accessibility of nicotine pouches, particularly to minors.

Health groups have expressed concerns over the growing rates of nicotine addiction among teenagers who previously had little to no interaction with cigarettes. Holland remarked, “It has been so deeply disturbing to see so many young people becoming addicted to these nicotine pouches.”

The federal government previously accused Imperial Tobacco, the manufacturer of Zonnic, of exploiting Canadian laws to gain product approval. The government passed legislation in June to restrict the sales, advertising, and manufacturing of harmful nicotine products, enforcing stricter regulations to protect minors.

In addition to the sales ban, Imperial Tobacco will have six months to modify its packaging to include addiction warnings and adjust any appealing advertisements towards youth. Holland noted his apprehensions that some children may already be addicted by the time these regulations take effect.

Eric Gagnon, Vice President of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Imperial Tobacco Canada, criticized the government’s decision, asserting that it unfairly targets their regulated product while neglecting unregulated alternatives available online. He argued that the biggest victims of the policy are adult smokers who rely on Zonnic as a smoking cessation tool.

The approval of Zonnic by Health Canada in July 2023 initially positioned it as a method to assist smokers in quitting. Research indicates that the nicotine release from a small pouch can be equivalent to smoking several cigarettes. However, the absence of restrictions on sale to minors allowed youth to access these products easily prior to the new government action.

Despite the ban’s announcement, convenience store owners have expressed concern about the impact on their businesses and their ability to assist adult smokers seeking alternatives to cigarettes. Health groups, however, have lauded the decision as a necessary step to protect youth from addictive products.

As the school year approaches, the implementation of these restrictions is seen as timely in limiting youth exposure to potentially addictive nicotine products.