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Round container of nicotine pouches spilling onto table

A new kid on the block

Five things you should know about nicotine pouches

Print or download this fact sheet (PDF)

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Each pouch contains 3 to 4 mg of nicotine. This is as much as 3 to 4 cigarettes.

  4. Zonnic nicotine pouches, a product of Imperial Tobacco, were approved for sale in Canada in July 2023. Initially they were classified as a natural health product for nicotine replacement therapy (smoking cessation). As such, there was no legal minimum age to purchase this product and they were readily available at many corner stores. The Canadian Lung Association was part of a successful national campaign to change these rules, as of August 28, 2024.

  5. 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.