Canadian anti-tobacco group urges government to restrict sales of Zonnic nicotine pouches

Sales of "Zonnic" nicotine pouches are booming in Canada, prompting anti-tobacco advocates to call on the government to impose restrictions to prevent youth smoking.

According to a report by The Globe and Mail on November 14, Canadian anti-smoking advocates are urging the federal government to restrict the sales of the flavored nicotine product "Zonnic," which was recently approved by the health department. They warn that this product is being marketed and sold directly to children and teenagers.

Last month, Imperial Tobacco Canada, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, launched the nicotine pouch product "Zonnic" in Canada, which contains four milligrams of nicotine and is designed to be placed under the user's lip.

However, anti-tobacco advocates argue that given the product's rising popularity in several countries, including the United States, and its appeal to younger users, the federal government should restrict its sales or even suspend them to prevent minors from purchasing it.

Although nicotine pouches are marketed by Zonnic as "adult tobacco alternatives," their availability in convenience stores and gas stations raises concerns about their impact on minors.

Anti-tobacco groups such as the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Association of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada are calling for immediate government action, demanding that nicotine pouches be sold by prescription only, and that approvals for similar products be suspended unless they also adopt prescription-only sales.

British American Tobacco has identified the category of nicotine pouches (which it refers to as "modern oral") as a key growth area. At a meeting in September, British American Tobacco's Chief Strategy and Growth Officer Kingsley Wheaton expressed excitement about the future development of modern oral products.