Health Canada has only authorized one brand of nicotine pouch (“Zonnic”) for the purpose of helping adults quit smoking. Nicotine pouches should not be used recreationally, by nonsmokers, by people under the age of 18, or by others at risk of nicotine's toxic effects. 

Nicotine pouches may also be referred to as “Zyns”, “lip pillow/decky”, “upper deckies”, or “snus”.

In B.C., nicotine pouches can only be legally sold in pharmacies, behind the counter, to adults for the purpose of smoking cessation. It is illegal for online and in-person retail stores to sell nicotine pouches. 

If you are trying to quit smoking or vaping, ensure that you are using a Health Canada-approved product purchased from a pharmacy. You can talk to a health care provider such as a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about the treatment option that is right for you.

Learn more about quitting smoking (HealthLink BC File #30c).

Health Canada has only approved Nicotine pouches for use for adults 18 years and older. Nicotine is highly addictive and should not be used by anyone younger as children and youth are more likely to develop nicotine dependence, even with limited exposure. 

Nicotine pouches can be harmful if they are not used correctly. Nicotine can affect memory and concentration, reduce impulse control, alter brain development, and cause cognitive and behavioural problems in children and youth.

Children and youth are also more likely to develop nicotine dependence, even with limited exposure. Nicotine dependence can result in withdrawal and cause symptoms such as headaches, shakes, dizziness and feelings of anxiety or depression.

Talking to your child about nicotine

It’s best to talk to youth before they start using nicotine products, but it’s never too late to have a conversation. Some things to remember are:

• Talk to kids and teens in a patient, open, and non-judgmental way. Share information with them about the health risks of nicotine and how hard it is to quit.  
• If your child or teen is using nicotine products, listen to them about why they are using nicotine. Many youth who use nicotine products are using them to manage stress or anxiety. You can help them by discussing other ways to manage stress.
• If you or anyone in your household use nicotine products (including smoking or vaping), ensure you are not using them around your children. Quitting or reducing your use, and talking to your children about why you’re doing so can be a good way to have a positive influence.
• Children and youth are likely to encounter nicotine products in media (including movies, tv shows, and social media). Have conversations with them about media literacy to help them reflect critically on the messaging they encounter.

Learn more about preventing kids and teens from smoking and vaping.

Nicotine is a highly toxic and addictive substance that has impacts on both mental and physical health. Many of the long-term health impacts of using nicotine pouches are not yet known, because nicotine pouches are relatively new products in Canada. 

Read the Government of Canada’s public advisory on nicotine pouches.

Nicotine side effects

Nicotine is a stimulant and causes your brain to release dopamine, the “feel-good chemical”, when you first start to use it. This feeling is only temporary, though, and when it goes away, your body wants more. Over time, your brain gets used to receiving nicotine and needs more and more nicotine to feel good.

When you stop using nicotine-containing products like pouches, you can go into withdrawal and may experience various unpleasant symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. The only things that will relieve these symptoms are either more nicotine, or time without nicotine (quitting). This is one of the things that makes it so hard to quit.

Learn about the risks of alternative tobacco and nicotine products (HealthLink BC File #30b)

Oral health risks

As nicotine pouches are relatively new products, not much research has been done yet about their potential oral health risks. However, some early research suggests that use of any oral nicotine product results in worse oral health compared to avoiding use altogether. The best way to protect your health is to quit or reduce nicotine product use. 

Common questions about nicotine pouches