Health Canada approves BAT's Zonnic non-tobacco nicotine pouch for sale in Canada

On July 18, 2023, Health Canada approved British American Tobacco’s non-tobacco nicotine pouch Zonnic for sale in Canada as a nicotine replacement product. Approval was given to Nicoventures Trading Ltd, which is a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT). Approval was given under the Food and Drugs Act, and the Natural Health Products Regulations under the Food and Drugs Act.  The nicotine quantity of the product is 4.0 mg.

This is the first non-tobacco nicotine pouch for sale in Canada. Product information from the Health Canada database is available here:
https://health-products.canada.ca/lnhpd-bdpsnh/info?licence=80125630

Internationally, non-tobacco nicotine pouches have been finding increasing popularity among younger people in various countries where they are sold.

In Canada, advertising for Zonnic will be permitted, including on television.

In Quebec, nicotine replacement products may only be sold in pharmacies. No other province/territory has this requirement. Location of sale is the responsibility of provinces/territories, and is not regulated by Health Canada.
 

Today on July 21, 2023, Health Canada revised its public advisory for non-tobacco nicotine pouches entitled "Unauthorized nicotine buccal pouches may pose serious health risks". This follows the approval this week of a nicotine pouch for sale. The original advisory was issued Nov. 2, 2020.  

The public advisory as revised can be seen here:
English: https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/unauthorized-nicotine-buccal-pouches-may-pose-serious-health-risks-0