The recent emergence of various nicotine products in the market has raised concerns among public health organizations. Health Canada approved Imperial Tobacco’s flavoured nicotine pouch, Zonnic, which is aggressively marketed as a smoking cessation aid. However, the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT) is sounding the alarm, pointing out the lack of regulations prohibiting its sale to individuals under the age of 19.
ACT expresses disappointment in Health Canada’s approval of Zonnic without stronger measures to protect minors. The organization highlights the limited research available on the product’s efficacy and potential health effects. According to ACT, Zonnic’s colorful packaging and attractive flavors naturally appeal to young people, making it particularly concerning.
To address this alarming situation, ACT is calling on the federal government to reclassify nicotine pouches like Zonnic as prescription products. Additionally, the organization urges provincial retailers to exercise vigilance and refrain from selling these products, as well as any other nicotine products, to individuals under 19 years of age.
The proliferation of nicotine products raises important questions about the potential risks they may pose, especially to vulnerable populations like minors. While smoking cessation aids can be beneficial, it is essential to strike a balance between providing assistance to those who wish to quit smoking and protecting young people from potentially harmful nicotine exposure.
FAQ:
Q: What is Zonnic?
A: Zonnic is a flavoured nicotine pouch produced by Imperial Tobacco, marketed as an aid to quit smoking.
Q: Why is the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco concerned about Zonnic?
A: The Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT) is concerned about Zonnic due to its aggressive marketing, lack of regulations prohibiting sales to minors, and limited research on its efficacy and potential health effects.
Q: What is ACT calling for in response to Zonnic?
A: ACT is urging the federal government to reclassify nicotine pouches like Zonnic as prescription products and requesting provincial retailers to be vigilant and refrain from selling them or any other nicotine products to individuals under the age of 19.
Q: Why is Zonnic appealing to young people?
A: Zonnic’s colorful packaging and attractive flavors naturally appeal to young people, making it particularly concerning to public health organizations like ACT.
Q: Why is it important to regulate nicotine products?
A: Regulating nicotine products is crucial to protect vulnerable populations, such as minors, from potential health risks associated with nicotine exposure.