Imperial Tobacco Canada Calls for Action as CBC News Investigation Exposes Widespread Illegal Nicotine Pouch Sales

MONTREAL, Dec. 4, 2025 /CNW/ - Imperial Tobacco Canada (Imperial) today urged federal decision-makers to take immediate action to address the rapidly growing illicit market for nicotine pouches in Canada, following a CBC News investigation that exposed widespread illegal sales in certain stores and online. The findings reinforce what Imperial has been warning about for months: the Ministerial Order forcing legal nicotine pouches like ZONNIC behind pharmacy counters has not protected youth. Instead, it has unintentionally accelerated the spread of unregulated, dangerous products.

"By restricting access to regulated products, the policy has driven consumers straight toward unmonitored, illegal alternatives," said Eric Gagnon, VP Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Imperial. "These illicit products do not meet quality standards, and they are being sold without any age-verification--putting youth and public health at serious risk."

Imperial strongly agrees with commentary from leading public health expert David Hammond, who stressed that addressing the illegal pouch market requires stronger enforcement, including proactive retail inspections and dedicated compliance resources. But enforcement alone will not resolve the problem. To meaningfully cut off demand for illegal products, the government must allow approved Health Canada authorized nicotine pouches to be sold where adult smokers already shop, such as convenience stores and gas stations, ensuring regulated, Health Canada authorized options are accessible.

"Effective regulation must ensure both youth protection and practical access to approved cessation products for adults," added Mr. Gagnon. "We are ready to work collaboratively with Health Canada and all stakeholders to fix the gaps in the current framework and protect Canadians."

About Legal vs. Illegal Nicotine Pouches in Canada

ZONNIC is the first legal nicotine pouch authorized for sale by Health Canada as a smoking-cessation product. It must not exceed 4mg of nicotine and must meet strict regulatory standards for quality, packaging, ingredients, labelling, and responsible access.

In contrast, illegal nicotine pouches, including those with flavours appealing to youth and high-nicotine products, are not approved for sale in Canada, lack quality controls, often fail to disclose ingredients and are sold without age verification. These unregulated products are the focus of recent CBC reporting and represent the core public-health concern.

About Imperial Tobacco Canada

Imperial Tobacco Canada is the leading tobacco and nicotine company in Canada, part of the global BAT group. Our mission at BAT is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by promoting a Smokeless World. We envision a future where smokeless products replace cigarettes, encouraging smokers to make a Switch to Better.

Imperial is committed to advancing THR through transparency, innovation, and collaboration. One such initiative is Omni™, a platform developed by our parent company BAT, to support education and stakeholder engagement around THR. Omni™ serves as a dynamic resource for those working toward a smoke-free future.

SOURCE Imperial Tobacco Canada

For more information or interview requests, please contact: Mary Moniz, Torchia Communications, 647-278-0152, [email protected]; Nancy Ibrahim, Imperial Media Relation, [email protected]