A recent investigation by CBC News has revealed that prohibited nicotine pouches, available in enticing flavors and high strengths, are still being sold in various corner stores nationwide, despite new federal restrictions aimed at restricting their availability and deterring youth usage.
In August 2024, the federal government imposed limitations on the sale of nicotine pouches, restricting them to pharmacies due to mounting concerns raised by health organizations about their appeal to non-smokers and young individuals.
Under Health Canada regulations, nicotine pouches are tightly controlled as natural health products for individuals aged 18 and above, intended to aid in smoking cessation. Zonnic, a brand owned by Imperial Tobacco Canada, is the only legally permitted brand for sale in pharmacies. The company is authorized to sell only four-milligram pouches in mint or menthol flavors to prevent attraction to minors.
Despite these regulations, CBC News reporters in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax were able to purchase what seemed to be Zyn, a popular nicotine pouch brand in the U.S., from Philip Morris International, in various corner stores. These unauthorized packs were available in fruity flavors and doses as high as 15 milligrams.
Additionally, numerous online distributors, purportedly based in Canada, offered a range of unauthorized pouch brands in unconventional flavors and elevated doses, promising quick and discreet delivery.
According to Professor David Hammond from the University of Waterloo’s School of Public Health Sciences, the appeal of nicotine pouches among Canadian youth seems to be surpassing that of adults, with an increasing trend. Hammond’s research indicates that approximately five percent of Canadian youth, equivalent to about 100,000 individuals, have experimented with using a pouch.
The issue lies in the marketing strategies aimed at enticing young consumers with appealing flavors and packaging. The concern is that these products are being targeted at youth through platforms like social media, promoting discreet and easy usage.
Nicotine pouches, although devoid of tobacco and carcinogenic substances found in cigarette smoke, are cautioned by Health Canada for their highly toxic and addictive nature, especially concerning youth.
Dr. Nicholas Chadi, a pediatrician and addiction medicine specialist, emphasizes the risks associated with nicotine exposure in young, developing brains. The allure of discreet pouches delivering a substantial nicotine dose can lead to dependence and addiction in youth, with potential negative impacts on mental and physical health.
The personal account of a university student, Ashley Biswanger, highlights the addictive nature of nicotine pouches and the adverse effects they had on her quality of life. She warns against the habit, urging young individuals to avoid falling into the addictive cycle.
Health Canada has undertaken enforcement actions against the sale and advertising of unauthorized nicotine pouch products since August 2024, with over 300 compliance cases managed, including issuing notices, conducting site visits, and seizing products to mitigate risks to consumers.
The need for a more anticipatory regulatory system to curb the proliferation of nicotine pouches among youth is emphasized by experts, urging proactive measures to safeguard public health and prevent addiction issues in young populations.