Health minister says she's not considering looser regulations on nicotine pouches
Canada's Health Minister says she's not considering loosening nicotine pouch regulations as illicit trade concerns grow.Summary
Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel confirmed she is not considering changes to regulations that restrict nicotine pouch sales in Canada. Health Canada regulates nicotine pouches as smoking cessation aids, restricting sales to adults and requiring them to be kept behind pharmacy counters. Only one brand, Zonnic by Imperial Tobacco, has been approved since 2024, with limited flavours to reduce appeal to children. Unsmoke Canada, which is part of Rothman, Benson and Hedges—the Canadian subsidiary of Philip Morris International—has been lobbying to allow pouch sales in retail stores to combat the illicit market. The minister acknowledged that illicit pouches, including Philip Morris's Zyn brand, are reaching Canadian youth despite regulations. Flory Doucas, co-director of the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control, warned that inadequate enforcement weakens regulatory authority and sets a narrative the tobacco industry can exploit, adding that lobbying efforts by the tobacco industry have reached the Prime Minister's Office.
(Source：CCentral)
