The restrictions, which took effect nearly a month ago, also ban the sales of popular tropical flavours
OTTAWA — The Opposition Conservatives are rejecting the federal government’s decision to restrict the sale of nicotine pouches to pharmacies, saying it makes “little sense” to remove them from small businesses.
Last month, Health Minister Mark Holland announced the new rules banning the sales of nicotine pouches, which in Canada are sold under the brand name Zonnic, from convenience stores, gas stations and online, following concerns about minors accessing them and becoming addicted to nicotine.
The Canadian Cancer Society was among health advocacy groups that had called for and applauded the move, saying it was necessary to protect the health of youth. Imperial Tobacco is the maker of Zonnic.
The restrictions, which took effect nearly a month ago, also ban the sales of popular tropical flavours and allow the products to only be accessed from behind pharmacy counters.
Health Canada also brought down rules that prohibit advertising these products in ways “that could be appealing to youth” and require them to include a label warning users about the risks of nicotine addiction and which specifies the pouches are only intended for adults who wish to quit smoking.
Only select pharmacies have them in stock since the restrictions took effect, which has created challenges for some users looking for access.
For example, Rexall Canada said in a statement that it is in the process of ordering the products “and will make them available soon.”
Nova Scotia MP Stephen Ellis, who serves as the Conservatives’ health critic in Parliament, said in a statement that while they believe adult products should be “kept out of the hands of kids,” they believe in choice for adults.
“Conservatives believe adult Canadians should have freedom of choice when it comes to what legal products they use, including nicotine pouches,” he said, adding it is important that those looking to quit smoking “should continue to have access to less harmful alternatives that have worked for them.”
Ellis said small businesses like convenience stores have been selling alcohol and tobacco products for years.
“It makes little sense that these businesses face these new restrictions when they continue to sell cigarettes and other nicotine products,” he said.
Holland’s office has yet to respond to a request for comment.
Earlier in the week, the minister defended the measures taken by his government against concerns about users having difficulty finding access by saying they could turn to other smoking cessation products like lozenges, sprays and additional nicotine replacement therapies.
“There is a myriad of options and I’m sure they would care just as much as I do about protecting our youth,” Holland said.
He said tobacco companies are guilty of trying to addict a new generation of young people to nicotine through the marketing of these pouches.
“That is absolutely reprehensible,” Holland said. “They created this situation. I’ve got to fix it. I’ve got to protect kids.”
Ellis was among voices calling on the federal government to take action last fall when Health Canada approved the sale of Zonnic.
In a video posted on X last November, he warned about the flavoured pouches having the potential to create “a new generation of nicotine-addicted Canadians,” and called on Holland to spike the order allowing these products to be marketed and accessed by minors.
National Post
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