GOLDBERG: Health Canada twists itself into pretzels to defy common sense
November 05, 2025 by torontosun.com
GOLDBERG: Health Canada twists itself into pretzels to defy common sense
Health Canada is struggling to justify its decision to keep nicotine pouches out of convenience stores and restrict their sale to pharmacies. During a committee hearing, Deputy Health Minister Greg Orencsak acknowledged that the products were initially approved as a “less harmful” alternative to smoking and that Health Canada remains committed to helping Canadians quit. Despite this, the agency continues to support former health minister Mark Holland’s order requiring nicotine pouches to be sold only in pharmacies, limiting access to this effective smoking cessation aid.
10.60% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 3.5 million current smokers in Canada 13.10% of men are current smokers but only 8.10% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
