Yes, nicotine vaping is a concern, but a new trend has emerged here in Canada specific to nicotine products and teens – “nicotine pouches” – also known and tagged by teens as “#gumpillows”, “#upperdeckys”, “#lippillows”. Marketed as a “smoking replacement” or a “new nicotine replacement therapy” for adults, these pouches are gaining recreational popularity among some young adults and teenagers. We asked the thousands of teens that follow us on our social media platforms the following question, “Are you a Canadian teen who has seen other teens using a flavoured nicotine pouch like Zonnic?” It was surprising to see how many teens replied “yes” – anecdotal for sure, but also enlightening at the same time.
Nicotine pouches contain “tobacco-free” synthetic nicotine, typically infused with various flavors such as black cherry, cool mint, and blueberry. They are designed to be placed between the upper or lower lip and gum, similar to chewing tobacco. Marketed under brands like Zyn (US only), Zonnic (Canada), ACE, Buff, and Iceberg Energy, these products often come in enticing packaging that looks more like candies or mints. (1) It’s worth mentioning that these varieties of nicotine pouches have been accessible in the USA for several years, but are new here in Canada. Additionally, it’s noteworthy that tobacco companies, including Imperial Tobacco Canada, rank among the largest producers and suppliers of nicotine pouches – go figure!
One of the most concerning aspects of nicotine pouches is their nicotine content. Some pouches can contain up to four milligrams of nicotine, which is equivalent to the nicotine absorbed from three to four cigarettes. We have also seen TikTok videos where teens will use more than one pouch at a time. This level of nicotine consumption can lead to nicotine addiction and other health problems (2), especially in young, developing bodies.
Despite these dangers, the Canadian government approved products like “Zonnic” as a natural health product for smoking cessation for adults 18 years and older in July 2023 (3). However, this approval does not guarantee the safety of these products, especially when it comes to youth consumption.
While the packaging indicates these pouches are for ages 18 and above, there are no federal regulations in place to restrict sales to those under 18 years old. Since it doesn’t contain tobacco, it isn’t governed by the Tobacco and Vaping Act (4). Additionally, it’s not classified as a prescription drug due to its nicotine content of 4mg or less, which places it under the regulations for natural health products like nicotine patches or gum. Consequently, it falls under provincial regulations, which dictate age requirements for purchase.
Like the mistakes made with nicotine vaping, regulators have been slow to recognize and regulate nicotine pouches, leaving young people vulnerable to their potentially harmful effects. In fact, some teens have stated that these pouches are their way to overcome nicotine vaping. This lack of proactive regulation has led to an increase in youth experimentation and addiction when it comes to nicotine. In the “bio-hacking” world of social media and teens, nicotine is promoted as a cognitive enhancer and pushed by media influencers as a great was to enhance concentration for things like studying.
To make matters worse, nicotine pouches are often marketed in a way that appeals to young people on places like Instagram (5) or TikTok. Packaging resembling candy or mints, combined with flavors like apple mint and cool cherry, can make these products especially attractive to teenagers.
In response to these concerns, some jurisdictions have taken action to protect youth. British Columbia, for example, has moved flavored nicotine pouches behind pharmacy counters to restrict access to minors. (6) Additionally, the federal government is considering regulations to address the growing popularity of nicotine pouches and their potential impact on public health. (7)
***UPDATE AUGUST 2024***
Beginning August 28, the pouches, which go by the brand name Zonnic, will be completely banned from convenience store and gas station shelves across Canada. Berry Frost and Tropic Breeze flavours will be recalled and only menthol and mint-flavoured pouches will be allowed to be sold in pharmacies from behind the counter.
Although placing these products behind the pharmacy counter is a good first step, it is important that parents and caregivers know that these pouches can also be ordered online and delivered to homes across Canada (8)
Parents must be vigilant and informed about the dangers of nicotine pouches or any other nicotine product being used by teens. It’s essential to talk to your children about the risks associated with these products and to monitor their use closely if you suspect that your child is using these nicotine pouches. Encourage open communication and provide support if they’re struggling with addiction or peer pressure to use any kind of nicotine product.
While nicotine pouches may seem like a harmless alternative to smoking, the reality is far from it. As research continues to emerge about the health effects of these products such as periodontal disease, increased microbial dysbiosis, and oral lesions it’s crucial for parents and policymakers alike to prioritize the well-being of our youth and take decisive action to address this growing public health concern surrounding the use of all nicotine products.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Presently, Zonnic is the only nicotine pouch that has been authorized for use in Canada by Health Canada. However, in researching this article, we found several other pouches on the market from other manufacturers that are available for purchase in Canada, which is very concerning given that the quality control of these pouches and their content is unknown!
Information to be useful must be shared!
The White Hatter
References
1/ https://www.whitepouches.com/ca/nicotine-pouches-to-your-country/nicotine-pouches-canada
2/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36819641/
3/ https://health-products.canada.ca/lnhpd-bdpsnh/info?licence=80125630
4/ https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/t-11.5/
5/ https://www.instagram.com/zonniccanada/?igsh=MzRlMnZ3d2kwaHh6
7/ https://globalnews.ca/news/10289589/ottawa-reveal-action-nicotine-pouches-bc/
8/ https://www.whitepouches.com/ca/nicotine-pouches-to-your-country/nicotine-pouches-canada
