Premier David Eby says the province is bringing in new regulations to restrict the sale of nicotine pouches to youth.

Eby was joined Health Minister Adrian Dix at the Canadian Cancer Society in Vancouver on Wednesday (Feb. 7) to announce the incoming regulations against nicotine pouches. He specifically pointed to Zonnic, which he said has previously been available to purchase at convenience stores across the country.

Buccal nicotine pouches are taken orally and can contain up to four milligrams of nicotine, 鈥渨hich is equivalent to the nicotine absorbed from three to four cigarettes.鈥� When used as intended, the province says it鈥檚 meant to be used as a nicotine-replacement therapy product to help people reduce their dependency.

鈥淭his is a product that should not be available to kids, should not be used by kids, should only be used by adults who are trying to stop smoking.鈥�

Eby said Health Canada regulations 鈥渄o not capture鈥� this product, but the federal government is working to close the loophole of these products being allowed on convenience store shelves. Because of that, B.C. is taking a step ahead of the federal government by making the nicotine pouches only available behind a pharmacy counter.

Eby said it puts a pharmacists between the person seeking the product and the product. People will need to consult a pharmacist, which the province says will allow pharmacists to inform those purchasing the pouches about the health risks associated with nicotine dependency.

鈥淎 kid that wants to buy it can鈥檛 just grab it off the shelf.鈥�

Dix said the new regulation will come into effect this week.

鈥淏y limiting access to these products and ensuring they are dispensed by trained health-care professionals, our goal is to prevent their misuse, especially among young people for recreational purposes.鈥�

Dix said that public health experts have identified a 鈥渃oncerning trend鈥� of youth using these pouches, along with the appeal of the current packaging and marketing.

He added that on Zonnic鈥檚 website, the product is described as 鈥渄iscreet and designed for on the go,鈥� is as 鈥渆asy as 1-2-3,鈥� and comes in colourful packaging and various flavours.

In a news release federal Health Minister Mark Holland said B.C. has taken a strong stance to 鈥渉elp restrict the sale of nicotine pouch products to protect children and youth from the harmful and addictive effects of nicotine.

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Nicotine is highly addictive, especially amonth children and youth who are more likely to develop a dependence. The province says nicotine can affect memory and concentration, alter brain development, reduce impulse control and cause cognitive behavioural issues.