After decades of progress on smoking, Canada faces new nicotine challenges
Canada's success in reducing smoking is threatened by a surge in alternative nicotine products like vaping and pouches, requiring updated regulations and public health strategies.Summary
Canada has made significant progress in reducing cigarette smoking since 1965, but now faces new challenges with the rise of alternative nicotine products, including vaping devices and nicotine pouches. While the Canadian Tobacco Strategy (CTS) aimed to reduce tobacco use to under 5% by 2035, it didn't fully anticipate the rapid influx of these new products. This has led to gaps in public education, regulatory oversight, and increased illicit sales, particularly concerning youth exposure. Experts emphasize the need for stricter regulations, including retailer training, enforcement of age restrictions, and limitations on product flavors. Expanding access to cessation resources, such as NRTs and pharmacist-led interventions, alongside policies like tax increases and marketing restrictions—proven effective for tobacco—are crucial to address this evolving landscape and achieve a tobacco- and nicotine-free future for Canadians.
(Source：The Hill Times)
