I Want My Pouches Calls on Nova Scotia Government to Show Leadership on Nicotine Pouch Access

Campaign urges Premier Tim Houston and Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson
to pressure Ottawa to restore nicotine pouch sales in convenience stores

HALIFAX, NS, Aug. 20, 2026 /CNW/ -- I Want My Pouches is launching a new campaign in Nova Scotia calling on Premier Tim Houston and Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson to stand up for Nova Scotians and pressure the federal government to restore the sale of nicotine pouches in convenience stores.

Since 2024, federal restrictions have limited the sale of nicotine pouches exclusively to pharmacies. I Want My Pouches says the policy has made legal access unnecessarily difficult for adults who want to quit smoking, particularly in rural communities, while allowing the illegal market to gain an alarming level of control over the nicotine pouch market.

In some parts of Nova Scotia, residents without a nearby pharmacy may have to travel significant distances simply to legally purchase nicotine pouches -- while cigarettes remain readily available at their local convenience store.

"If cigarettes are available at the local convenience store, it makes no sense to force someone who is trying to quit smoking to travel long distances to access nicotine pouches," said TJ Peric, spokesperson for I Want My Pouches. "This policy needs to be fixed, and we are asking Premier Houston and Minister Thompson to make Nova Scotia's voice heard in Ottawa."

Time for Nova Scotia to speak up

The campaign calls on Premier Houston and Health and Wellness Minister Thompson to publicly urge Prime Minister Mark Carney and federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel to fix the current policy and restore the sale of nicotine pouches in convenience stores and other responsible retailers across Canada, subject to strict age-verification requirements.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has already spoken out on the issue and supported the campaign.

"Danielle Smith stood up for Albertans. We are asking Premier Houston and Minister Thompson to show the same leadership for Nova Scotians," Peric said. "The federal government created this policy, but provincial leaders have a voice. It is time to use it."

Access matters

For I Want My Pouches, the issue is not about removing safeguards. Nicotine pouches should remain restricted to adults and sold under strict age-control requirements.

The issue is access.

"Adults should not have easier access to cigarettes than to nicotine pouches," Peric added. "That simply doesn't make sense."

The campaign will run across Nova Scotia on social media and digital platforms over the coming weeks.

To see the ad: https://www.facebook.com/61586462132657/posts/122132613567215404/

SOURCE I want my pouches

Media contact: TJ Peric, Spokesperson, I Want My Pouches, [email protected]