When nicotine pouches and vapes are confined to pharmacy sales, governments may intend to protect youth, but the effects can limit access, fuel illicit markets, and undermine harm reduction goals.
Canada: Pharmacists Push Back on Expanding Retail Access
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.
Australia: The Pharmacy-Only Model—and Its Shortcomings
Australia offers a parallel case study. Since October 2024, legally accessible nicotine-containing vapes (under 20 mg/mL nicotine) have been available exclusively through pharmacists, without a prescription, for adults aged 18 and older. That arrangement requires consumers to consult with pharmacists, provide ID, and limit purchases to one month’s supply. More concentrated nicotine products require a prescription.
But the practical outcomes have been underwhelming. Many pharmacies, notably in Queensland, have declined to participate in the program, citing complex compliance obligations and administrative burdens. As a result, legitimate legal sales remain very low. Meanwhile, a robust black market for illicit vapes has flourished. In some states, criminal networks now profit millions, and reports link this illegal trade to serious criminal activity.
Cross-Case Analysis: Risks of Pharmacy-Exclusive Models
When Canada and Australia limit smoke-free product access to pharmacies only, the following unintended consequences emerge:
- Restricted adult access: Consumers may face delays, limited stock, or lack of awareness if the pharmacy network is inconsistent or uninterested in participation.
- Emergent black markets: Especially in Australia, prohibition outside pharmacies has driven demand toward illicit suppliers, reducing the ability to control quality and enforce age limits.
- Missed harm reduction opportunities: Adult smokers seeking regulated, lower-risk alternatives may simply return to combustible tobacco if legal options are inaccessible or impractical.
Balancing Safety, Access, and Harm Reduction
Enclosing smoke-free nicotine products behind pharmacy counters may seem prudent, but it also creates a high barrier for many adults trying to transition from smoking. These policies rely on high compliance, accessible pharmacy infrastructure, and effective enforcement, conditions that are often lacking in practice.
Instead of blanket restrictions, policymakers could consider hybrid models:
- Preserving pharmaceutical oversight and mandatory training for providers
- Expanding access through online verification systems, age-certified vendors, or licensed retailers
- Maintaining strict marketing, flavor, and potency controls to minimize youth appeal
Such balanced frameworks allow adult smokers meaningful access while retaining safety safeguards.
GINN’s View: Focus on Outcomes, Not Retail Format
France, the EU, and other jurisdictions considering nicotine pouch regulation should take note. While pharmacist involvement offers benefits, over-restricting access can backfire, undermining both public health aims and consumer trust. The objective should be to support adult smokers transitioning away from combustible products, not to create barriers to legal alternatives that could save lives.
We advocate for policy grounded in evidence, which distinguishes clearly between youth protection and adult access, and assesses real-world outcomes, not just theoretical safety.
