According to a report by Yahoo.Finance on July 31st, Imperial Tobacco Canada (ITCAN) and other organizations are urging the Canadian Department of Health and the Quebec government to fulfill their responsibilities in preventing youth access to nicotine products.
Eric Gagnon, Vice President of ITCAN Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, stated that...
This is a serious public health issue. Media reports have confirmed the issues we have been raising with the Quebec government for several months now: there is a serious lack of enforcement in addressing illegal nicotine products, leading to a thriving black market. The Quebec government and the Canadian Department of Health must work towards enforcing existing laws.
Since Quebec banned flavored e-cigarette products last fall, several media outlets have pointed out that some retailers are circumventing the law. However, ITCAN stated that the company has provided evidence of these issues to the Quebec government multiple times. Yet, enforcement actions have not been strengthened, and the illegal market continues to persist.
We want to assure the public and healthcare professionals that ITCAN strictly complies with all regulations regarding the marketing and sales of nicotine products. However, not all manufacturers and distributors do the same. They are well aware that they can operate with impunity, with no one holding them accountable for their actions.
Currently, the company's nicotine pouch product ZONNIC is the only one approved in Canada as a natural health product and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for adults 18 years and older. Health Canada has approved the product for sale.
Any nicotine pouches sold by retailers other than ZONNIC are illegal, without exception. ITCAN has implemented mandatory age verification and insists that the products can only be sold from behind the counter, even though our license does not require this.
The company stated that it will fully support regulations that restrict the sale of nicotine products to adults over the age of 18, and will promote open dialogue with stakeholders to enhance enforcement and protect adolescents from the influence of nicotine.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
