The Alliance for the Control of Tobacco is sounding the alarm about new nicotine products now on the market.

Imperial Tobacco’s Zonnic is a Health Canada approved flavoured nicotine pouch which is being “aggressively marketed” as an aid to quit smoking.

ACT is disappointed that Health Canada has approved the product without any regulation prohibiting its sale to people under the age of 19.

ACT says the product has few regulations prohibiting its sale to minors, and “little to no research has been released as to their efficacy or health effects.”

ACT says Zonnic is naturally appealing to young people with colourful packaging and attractive flavours.

Executive Director Kevin Coady says ACT is urging the federal government to reclassify the pouches as a prescription product and is asking provincial retailers to be vigilant and aware and not sell them or any other nicotine product to anyone under the age of 19.