Smoking Rates Increase in Canada as Tobacco Industry Criticizes Federal Policies
Recent data from Statistics Canada reveals a concerning trend in the nation's public health landscape. For the first time in at least a decade, smoking rates have increased during 2023 and 2024, marking a significant reversal in what had been a steady decline. This development comes amid ongoing debates about the effectiveness of Canada's tobacco control strategies.
Imperial Tobacco Challenges Ottawa's Regulatory Approach
Frank Silva, representing Imperial Tobacco Canada, has published a critical analysis of current federal policies. The tobacco manufacturer argues that rather than facilitating smoking cessation, Ottawa's recent regulatory moves are actually making it more difficult for adult smokers to quit. This perspective emerges during what should have been a period of reflection following National Non-Smoking Week in January.
The company states it shares Health Canada's goal of reducing smoking prevalence below five percent by 2035. Imperial Tobacco claims alignment with health organizations on several key objectives, including preventing youth access to tobacco products, expanding cessation support programs, strengthening enforcement against illegal products, and investing in initiatives that help smokers quit.
The Nicotine Pouch Controversy
At the center of this debate are Zonnic nicotine pouches, which Health Canada authorized and approved for smoking cessation in 2023. These products, marketed in Canada by Imperial Tobacco Canada, met strict Canadian standards for quality, safety, and manufacturing. However, their regulatory status has changed dramatically in recent months.
In August 2024, the federal government imposed new requirements that fundamentally altered access to these cessation tools. The regulations forced nicotine pouches behind pharmacy counters, mandated pharmacist consultations for purchase, and severely limited product availability across the country.
"The stated intent of protecting youth is legitimate and shared," acknowledges Silva. "But intent does not determine outcomes. Enforcement does."
Access Disparity Between Cessation Tools and Tobacco Products
The tobacco industry representative highlights what he sees as a fundamental contradiction in current policy. While nicotine pouches face increasingly restrictive access rules, cigarettes remain widely available through traditional retail channels.
Gas stations and convenience stores account for approximately 90 percent of cigarette sales in Canada, yet these establishments do not sell the regulated cessation products. Imperial Tobacco argues that smokers need access to quitting tools where they actually purchase tobacco, suggesting that the current separation creates unnecessary barriers to cessation.
The Unintended Consequences of Restricted Access
According to the tobacco company's analysis, when legal access to regulated cessation products is reduced, consumer behavior doesn't simply disappear. Instead, it shifts toward alternative sources that operate outside the regulatory framework designed to protect public health.
Silva warns that smokers are increasingly turning to illegal and unauthorized nicotine products that are easily obtained online and through informal retail channels. These products typically lack age verification systems, quality controls, and compliance with Canadian health standards, creating what he describes as a dangerous regulatory vacuum.
A Call for Policy Reevaluation
The tobacco industry representative concludes that Canada's current approach represents what he terms a "central policy failure." By restricting access to legal, regulated cessation products, the federal government may inadvertently be strengthening an illegal market that operates without proper oversight or consumer protections.
This criticism comes at a pivotal moment for Canadian public health policy. With smoking rates showing an unexpected increase after years of decline, stakeholders across the spectrum are questioning whether current strategies require adjustment to better serve both public health objectives and adult smokers seeking to quit.
