Recommendations for Government Regulation of Nicotine Pouches (Motion #26-24)

Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts, April 18, 2024

Motion moved by CARRIER – MASOOD

26-24 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF NICOTINE POUCHES

MOTION:

WHEREAS Health Canada approved nicotine pouches for sale under the Natural Health Product regulations providing no restrictions on advertising or sale to children and youth; and

WHEREAS the unrestricted sale, display, and promotion of nicotine pouches contribute to their accessibility, the normalization of nicotine use, and potential health hazards; and

WHEREAS nicotine is highly addictive and its use, in any form, is unsafe for children and youth; and

WHEREAS exposure to nicotine can have adverse effects on the developing brains of adolescents and young adults and increases the likelihood of initiation and long-term use of tobacco products; and

WHEREAS the emergence of nicotine pouch products occurred rapidly without requiring adherence to the restrictions of the federal Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, 1997, and the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts strongly encourage Health Canada to take immediate action to close the regulatory gap that permits the sale of nicotine pouches to youth under 18 years of age; and

FURTHER THAT the Board of Health urge Health Canada to strengthen regulations to restrict the sale of new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products, ensuring that nicotine availability to children and youth never occur again; and

FURTHER THAT the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts strongly encourage the Government of Ontario to exclusively sell nicotine pouches from behind pharmacy counters, limit their display in retail settings, and restrict their promotion, especially to youth; and

FURTHER THAT the Government of Ontario expand the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy to create a comprehensive, coherent public health-oriented framework for the regulation of vaping and all nicotine-containing products.

CARRIED

This item was last modified on April 24, 2024