Smoke-Free Products Behind the Counter: Lessons from Pharmacist-Only Access in Canada and Australia
August 06, 2025 by ginn.global
Smoke-Free Products Behind the Counter: Lessons from Pharmacist-Only Access in Canada and Australia
In late July 2025, a national association of Canadian pharmacists firmly rejected proposals to expand nicotine pouch availability beyond pharmacy walls. A government order from the previous year requires that these pouches be sold only behind the counter of licensed pharmacies. Pharmacists oppose relaxing that restriction, arguing that the products require professional oversight and age verification and should not be stocked in general retail stores.
11.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 2.4 million current smokers in Australia 12.90% of men are current smokers but only 9.30% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
