'Stay the hell away from our kids': Feds propose new restrictions on nicotine pouches
CTV
The federal Liberals are looking to introduce new restrictions on nicotine pouches, Health Minister Mark Holland announced Wednesday, saying it is part of an effort to keep addictive products out of the hands of young Canadians.
The federal Liberals are looking to introduce new restrictions on nicotine pouches, Health Minister Mark Holland announced Wednesday, saying it is part of an effort to keep addictive products out of the hands of young Canadians.
"We're seeing a whole new cohort of young people being addicted to these products," Holland said. "I would say to the tobacco companies … stay the hell away from our kids."
First approved for Canadian markets last year, nicotine pouches are a tobacco-less product designed to help smokers quit. Placed between the gum and cheek in a user's mouth, the pouches release the addictive chemical also found in cigarettes, vape products and chewing tobacco, offering an alternative way to satisfy cravings.
As of this month, only one brand of nicotine pouch, Imperial Tobacco Canada's Zonnic, is approved for sale in Canada. A Health Canada advisory last updated Wednesday notes that, at four milligrams per dose, nicotine pouches are typically recommended for adults smoking 25 or more cigarettes per day.
"Nicotine pouches are authorized only to help adults quit smoking," the advisory reads. "They should not be used recreationally, by nonsmokers, by people under the age of 18, or by others at risk of nicotine's toxic effects"
Holland clarified in his remarks Wednesday that he doesn't oppose innovation in the tobacco industry and welcomes the introduction of products to help wean smokers off of nicotine. It's what he sees as the marketing of those products to non-users of nicotine, including young people, he said, which has pressed him to act.
"We want to see products that are going to get people off of nicotine, and off of tobacco," he said.
