Tobacco manufacturer releases statement regarding its NRT pouch
by CM Staff
Imperial Tobacco Canada says they agree that minors should not use any nicotine products, and they are trying to ensure ZONNIC is only marketed and sold to adults.
Eric Gagnon, Vice President, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Imperial Tobacco Canada during a press conference in Ottawa, February 15, 2024 (CNW Group/Imperial Tobacco Canada)
MONTREAL ‐ Imperial Tobacco Canada (ITCAN) says they are fighting back against opposition to its new nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), ZONNIC. ZONNIC nicotine pouches reportedly followed a 2-year review process with Health Canada, trying to demonstrate safety and efficacy as a cessation aid for adults that wish to stop smoking.
“There was no loophole in the way ZONNIC’s license was granted. Health Canada did its due diligence and now Canadians who smoke have a new and effective way to quit,” said Eric Gagnon, Vice President, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, ITCAN. “The loophole is that there is no legal minimum age set for NRTs, so kids can walk into a store and buy these products. That is the real problem.”
Imperial Tobacco Canada says they agree that minors should not use any nicotine products, and they are trying to ensure ZONNIC is only marketed and sold to adults. For example, ZONNIC has been stored behind the counter and sold only after proper age verification in retail outlets since its launch in October of last year, which is not the case for all other NRT products.
“ZONNIC is not marketed any differently than any other NRT products in Canada. Suggesting otherwise is inaccurate and only driven by anti-tobacco health groups that disagree with everything we do,” stated Gagnon. “It is irresponsible for governments to target a legal product that smokers are finding an effective to quit, simply because they dislike the inconvenient fact that the manufacturer is a tobacco company.”
