According to a report by CBC on July 8th, The Convenience Industry Council of Canada is urging the Newfoundland and Labrador government to oppose proposed federal regulations that could result in nicotine replacement therapies, such as nicotine pouches, being removed from convenience stores.
The organization stated that if the federal government mandates that nicotine products can only be sold behind pharmacy counters, it will harm retailers.
This regulation is determined independently by each province, with British Columbia and Quebec already implementing it. Federal Health Minister Mark Holland has expressed hope that other regions across the country will follow suit.
Matthew Kronberg, spokesperson for the Federal Minister of Health, stated in an email to CBC News that Parliament recently passed an amendment to the Food and Drugs Act that "will allow Health Canada to quickly improve regulations" to help prevent youth access to nicotine products.
Kronberg stated that the Canadian Ministry of Health is consulting stakeholders on proposed measures.
Leslie Phillips, a professor at the College of Pharmacy at Memorial University, expressed mixed feelings about putting nicotine pouches behind the pharmacy counter, but believes they should not be sold in convenience stores.
The Retailers Association and Convenience Store Association both receive substantial funding from tobacco giants. They have vested interests in this issue, as their associations receive funding and profits from selling these products.
They are just like tobacco giants, caring more about money than your health.
Vice President of CICC Atlantic Branch, Mike Hammoud, stated that convenience stores are not the main culprits when it comes to these products getting into the hands of teenagers.
Anyone can say that we are the problem and that these products need to be moved from convenience stores to elsewhere, this kind of statement really hurts us. We have proven repeatedly that we are responsible in selling beer, tobacco, and e-cigarette products. How could we be irresponsible when it comes to selling nicotine pouches?
The Department of Health in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador declined an interview request from CBC News and instead provided a written statement authored by spokesperson Jennifer Konieczny, stating that the province has seen an increase in youth nicotine use.
Konecny stated that the legislative amendments will be based on the results of the public consultation launched on May 30th.
Currently, the only legally-sold nicotine pouch in Canada is Zonnic. Due to the fact that nicotine pouches are authorized under Health Canada's "Natural Health Product Regulations," there are no federal restrictions on advertising or purchase age for Zonnic.
However, in Newfoundland and Labrador, members of the CICC must be at least 19 years old to purchase from convenience stores or other major chain stores that enforce age restrictions. Hamoud stated that when the product was first approved, the CICC lobbied the federal government to implement age restrictions.
In a statement released in March, Health Canada's Minister Patty Hajdu announced that the department is working towards implementing legislation and regulations to restrict youths' access to nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches. This may involve limitations on advertising, flavors, and sales locations.
Hamood stated that while CICC does not have any objections to the Canadian government's ban on certain flavors or marketing tactics, removing nicotine replacement products from convenience stores could lead to unintended consequences. Nicotine pouches with higher nicotine content can easily be purchased illegally online, so restricting the legal sale of these products in certain locations may force people to rely on alternative illegal means.
Professor Phillips stated that if federal regulations require all nicotine products to be sold behind the pharmacy counter, it could create unnecessary barriers for adults trying to quit smoking.
Kevin Coady, Executive Director of the Tobacco Control Alliance, expressed that if a product is intended to help people quit smoking, it should be sold behind the pharmacy counter so that advice and support can be received from pharmacy staff before purchase. He believes that about 40% of teenagers in Newfoundland and Labrador have tried or are currently using e-cigarette products, so he hopes the federal government will implement more restrictions before nicotine pouches become as popular as e-cigarettes.
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