Criticism of Canadian Health Department's Nicotine Replacement Therapy Regulations

Key points:

Imperial Tobacco Canada (ITCAN) criticizes the Canadian Department of Health's new regulations on Nicotine Replacement Therapy (TRN).

ITCAN believes that current policies may be promoting the growth of illegal markets and hindering smokers from quitting.

ITCAN calls on the government to promote reasonable regulation based on scientific evidence, to protect young people and support smokers in quitting.

According to a report by Newswire on April 8th, Imperial Tobacco Canada (ITCAN) last week submitted a response to Health Canada's proposed guidelines on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) dosing schedules. The proposed guidelines outline new standards for NRT products to be added to a list of formats that can be sold at all retail outlets, including tobacco sale points. However, the guidelines are not perfect as they require non-listed NRT products to prove they will not be abused by non-smokers, a nearly impossible standard to meet. This hinders the development of innovative NRT products to support smokers and could potentially exacerbate the illegal market, such as the sale of nicotine pouches.

ITCAN's Vice President, Eric Gagnon, stated that existing regulations fail to effectively protect young people and recommended banning the sale of related products to minors across all sales channels, rather than enforcing the current TRN product classification system. In October 2023, ITCAN launched ZONNIC, the first nicotine pouch product approved by Health Canada, aimed at helping smokers quit. However, the order issued by former Health Minister Mark Holland on August 28, 2024, presents a challenge to these products. He emphasized (without evidence) that the minister's order would protect young people, but it does not contain any provisions that genuinely protect young people. ITCAN believes that protecting young people is indeed crucial. However, the existing order not only ignores this goal but also jeopardizes Canada's public health objectives to reduce smoking rates.

ITCAN emphasizes that relevant regulations should balance the goals of preventing illegal market growth, supporting adult smoking cessation, and protecting young people. Gagnon points out that all smoking cessation products should be regulated based on strong scientific and factual data, and nicotine pouch products are not inherently riskier than other nicotine replacement therapy products. Current regulations are only encouraging the sale of illegal and dangerous products, and making it harder for people to quit smoking.

ITCAN emphasized in their statement the need to replace the current TRN grading system with a non-discriminatory clear ban to prevent minors from purchasing such products. Data shows that products like ZONNIC can effectively reduce cigarette sales and aid smokers in quitting. If current restrictions continue, the relevant standards should be expanded to ensure all TRN products are available to smokers at all retail locations. ITCAN hopes the government prioritizes public health, recognizes and promotes scientifically validated smoking cessation options, and helps smokers quit successfully.