A new kid on the block
Five things you should know about nicotine pouches
- Nicotine pouches are the latest product from Big Tobacco that can lead to nicotine addiction in children — and they’re even more accessible than vaping products.
- Nicotine pouches are used similarly to chewing tobacco and snus, however they contain no tobacco. Each small teabag-like pouch contains powdered nicotine and flavouring. A pouch is placed between the cheek and gum for a gradual release of nicotine.
- Each pouch contains 3 to 4 mg of nicotine. This is as much as 3 to 4 cigarettes.
- Zonnic nicotine pouches, a product of Imperial Tobacco, were approved for sale in Canada in July 2023. They are classified as a natural health product for nicotine replacement therapy (smoking cessation). As such, there is currently no legal minimum age to purchase this product.
- Nicotine pouches come in a variety of flavours that appeal to youth. They are popular with athletes (especially in hockey and football) as they are a stimulant that doesn’t affect lung capacity.