Canada’s Nicotine Pouch Ban: One Year On, Illicit Markets Thrive
In July 2024, Canada banned the legal sale of nicotine pouches, restricting them to prescription-only access through Health Canada’s medical framework. At the time, regulators argued the move was necessary to protect youth from nicotine initiation. One year later, the results are clear and deeply troubling. Instead of reducing use, the prohibition has created the…