Federal Government Implements New Regulations to Protect Canadian Youth from Nicotine Pouches
Youth4Change applauds the federal government for taking action to protect Canadian youth by implementing new legislation on nicotine pouches. Effective August 28th, 2024, the sale of Zonnic nicotine pouches will be banned in all convenience stores and gas stations across Canada.
Of the three flavours, Berry Frost and Tropic Breeze will be fully recalled, while the Cool Mint flavour will only be available for purchase behind the counter at pharmacies as a Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that can interfere with healthy brain development in youth. This ban is a response to growing concerns about NRTs being used by people, particularly youth, who would not otherwise use nicotine products. These new federal measures will help protect Canadian youth by reducing the allure, access, and overall use of nicotine products and include the following:
- Prohibit any advertising, promotion, labeling, or packaging of NRTs that could appeal to youth.
- Ensure that any new NRTs entering the market are sold only in pharmacies and kept behind the counter.
- Require that all new NRTs entering the market be available only in mint or menthol flavours.
- Mandate that NRT packaging includes a warning about nicotine addiction and clearly states their intended use as a smoking cessation aid.
- Require all manufacturers to submit mock-ups of labels and packaging for any new or amended NRT licenses to ensure they do not appeal to youth.
For adults on their quit-smoking journey, existing NRTs/quit smoking aids such as nicotine gums, lozenges, sprays, and inhalers, which have been proven to help adults quit smoking, will remain available in a wide range of retail locations and in several flavours.
View the Federal Government press release:
