Imperial Tobacco Canada calls on the government to strengthen law enforcement and emphasizes that ZONNIC is the only legal nicotine pouch

Imperial Tobacco Canada calls on the government to strengthen law enforcement and emphasizes that ZONNIC is the only legal nicotine pouch

Imperial Tobacco Canada urged the government to strengthen regulatory enforcement to combat the proliferation of illegal nicotine products, prevent youth from accessing nicotine products, and emphasized that any nicotine pouches sold by retailers other than ZONNIC are illegal.

According to Yahoo.Finance on July 31, Imperial Tobacco Canada (ITCAN) and other groups urged Health Canada and the Quebec government to fulfill their responsibilities to prevent youth from accessing nicotine products.

Eric Gagnon, vice president of corporate and regulatory affairs at ITCAN, said,

"This is a serious public health issue. Media reports confirm what we have been reporting to the Quebec government for months: there is a serious lack of enforcement in dealing with illegal nicotine products, allowing the illegal market to flourish. The Quebec government and Health Canada must work hard to enforce 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 said that the company has repeatedly provided evidence of these problems to the Quebec government. However, enforcement actions have not been strengthened and the illegal market continues.

"We want to assure the public and health professionals that ITCAN strictly complies with all regulations regarding the marketing and sale of nicotine products. However, this is not the case for all manufacturers and distributors. They are all very aware that they can get away with it and no one is holding them accountable."

Currently, the company's nicotine pouch product ZONNIC is the only nicotine pouch approved in Canada as a natural health product and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for adults aged 18 and over, and the Canadian Ministry of Health has approved the product for marketing.

"Nicotine pouches other than ZONNIC sold in any retail store are illegal, without exception. ITCAN has implemented mandatory age verification and insists that products can only be sold behind the counter, even if our license does not require this."

The company said it will fully support regulations restricting the sale of nicotine products to adults over the age of 18, and advocate open dialogue with all parties to strengthen law enforcement and protect young people from the influence of nicotine.