Stakeholder engagement session: Health Canada’s work to address risks of youth appeal and access to nicotine replacement therapies – June 19, 2024

Subject(s):

Health Canada hosted a stakeholder engagement session regarding the department's work to address risks of youth appeal and access to nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs).

Date:

June 19, 2024

Participants:

Health Canada

Industry representatives

*Indicates affiliations with the tobacco industry.

Introduction:

Health Canada's Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) held a stakeholder engagement session to seek feedback on proposed policy measures to address risks of youth appeal and access to NRTs. Participants included representatives from industry associations, retail associations, natural health product licence holders and advertising pre-clearance agencies.

HPFB reminded participants that this meeting is subject to disclosure as per HC's Openness and Transparency policies. As per this policy, HPFB stated that it would be making a record of the meeting publicly available. The handling of information and privacy notice was mentioned and acknowledged.

Health Canada also referred to Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), to protect public health policies from the interests of the tobacco industry.

Subjects:

Health Canada welcomed participants and gave a presentation on policy proposals being considered to reduce access and appeal of NRTs to youth while maintaining access for adults trying to quit smoking. Topics of discussion included point of sale, flavours, packaging and labelling, advertising and promotion, implementation, and cost-benefit analysis.

Participants shared feedback regarding place of sale restrictions and suggested NRTs should remain accessible by adults who smoke in places where cigarettes are sold. Participants also shared concerns regarding short transition timelines for labelling and packaging changes which could lead to product waste and environmental impacts. They also noted that there should be consideration for transition timelines at both the manufacturing level and retail level.

Conclusion:

The meeting was then concluded.

Documents:

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2024-11-28