Should Nicotine Pouches Stay Available Without a Prescription?
Official title: Notice of Consultation on the Prescription Drug List (PDL): Nicotine Buccal Pouches
Health Canada wants to update how nicotine pouches are classified on the Prescription Drug List. Right now, low-dose nicotine pouches (4mg or less) can be sold without a prescription. This proposal doesn't change that—it just clarifies the wording to better fit these newer products alongside sprays and inhalers.
Why This Matters
Trying to quit smoking? Nicotine pouches are one of the newer options to help you kick the habit. This decision affects whether they stay easy to buy at your local pharmacy or convenience store. If you've used patches, gums, or lozenges before, pouches work similarly but sit under your lip.
What Could Change
The Prescription Drug List would get updated wording to specifically mention nicotine pouches. Low-dose pouches (4mg or less) would stay available without a prescription. The change is mostly technical—making the rules clearer for this newer product format.
Key Issues
- Should the wording for nicotine pouches be separated from sprays and inhalers on the Prescription Drug List?
- Is the proposed 4mg threshold appropriate for non-prescription nicotine pouches?
How to Participate
- Review the Supplementary Rules Respecting Nicotine Replacement Therapies Order and the Guide to the Supplementary Rules for background.
- Send your comments by email to drug.prescription.status-statut.dordonnance.des.drogues@hc-sc.gc.ca or by mail to the Prescription Drug Status Committee.
Key Documents
- Supplementary Rules Respecting Nicotine Replacement Therapies Order (opens in new tab)
- Guide to the Supplementary Rules Respecting Nicotine Replacement Therapies Order (opens in new tab)
- Guidance Document: Determining Prescription Status for Human and Veterinary Drugs (opens in new tab)
- Notice of Consultation on the Prescription Drug List (PDL): Nicotine Tablets (opens in new tab)