Meeting between Health Canada and GN Canada: January 14, 2025

Subject(s)

The regulation of snus in Canada and the illegal market

Date

January 14, 2025

Participants

Health Canada

• Sonia Corrent, Director General, Tobacco Control Directorate (TCD), Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch (CSCB)
• Denise MacGillivray, Director General, Cannabis, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Directorate (CTCSD), Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch (ROEB)
• Ericka Tulloch, Director, Tobacco and Vaping Compliance and Enforcement Program, CTCSD, ROEB
• Cecilia Van Egmond, Director, Office of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs (OCRA), TCD, CSCB
• Neil Malik, Director, Office of Research and Surveillance, TCD, CSCB
• Manager, Compliance Division, OCRA, TCD, CSCB
• Policy Analyst, Regulatory and International Policy (RIP), Office of Policy and Strategic Planning (OPSP), TCD, CSCB (Observer)
• Policy Analyst, RIP, OPSP, TCD, CSCB (Secretariat)

GN Canada

• Meshaila Sinnis, Director of Public Affairs, Anzar Consultants
• David Anderson, Owner, Anzar Consultants
• Maxfield McKinnon, Chief Operations Officer, Swedish Smokeless Solutions AB "GN Tobacco Sweden"

Introduction

A meeting was held at the request of GN Canada to discuss the regulation of snus in Canada and illegal products.

The Chair started the meeting with introductions.

The Chair read the transparency and disclosure statement. The Chair reminded participants that this meeting is subject to disclosure as per Health Canada's Openness and Transparency policies. The handling of information and privacy notice was outlined and acknowledged. The Chair also referred to Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (PDF format) (WHO FCTC), its international obligation to protect tobacco control policies from the vested interests of the tobacco industry. It was acknowledged by GN Canada participants.

Subjects

GN Canada provided a presentation on the regulation of snus in Sweden. GN Canada:

• Provided an overview of their company, the history of snus and the manufacturing of the product
• Mentioned that Sweden has the lowest daily smoking rates in Europe, at 5.9%, while Sweden's daily snus usage rate is 16%
• Highlighted some of their milestones, including GMP certification, HACCP Strategy, Track and Traceability compliance with EU Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU)
• Mentioned past and ongoing product studies

GN Canada discussed the issue of the illegal markets for cigarettes and other nicotine products (such as vaping and nicotine pouches). They mentioned that a significant issue is the availability of illegal products and the low prices, which are difficult for the legal market to compete with. GN Canada flagged that the illegal market also impacts tax revenues.

GN Canada expressed they would like to see snus regulated differently than chewing tobacco as the products are used and manufactured differently, and carry different risks.

HC mentioned that the Department works closely with other government departments, including Public Safety Canada, on Canada's Tobacco Strategy to combat illegal tobacco and vaping products, and that illegal products undermine public health efforts.

The Chair thanked participants for their presentation and their comments.

Conclusion

The meeting was then concluded.

Documents

Agenda as provided by GN Canada