Health Minister Puts Nicotine Pouches Behind the Counter, Bans Flavours

Eric Gagnon, vice president of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Imperial Tobacco Canada, speaks at a news conference about their ZONNIC nicotine pouch, a type of nicotine replacement therapy, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Feb. 15, 2024. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Health Minister Mark Holland is putting Health Canada-approved nicotine pouches behind pharmacy counters starting next week as part of his crackdown on the sale of new nicotine products to children.

He also says he’s banning flavours other than mint or menthol for pouches and any new nicotine products on the market, and putting restrictions on the labels and advertising of all nicotine replacement therapies.