Alberta retailer puts caution tape over cigarettes in protest

Retailers say strict federal rules are limiting legal nicotine options while driving demand toward unregulated sellers.

As nicotine pouches gain popularity, Alberta retailers say federal rules are tying their hands, limiting what they can legally stock, what they can tell customers and ultimately pushing demand away from regulated stores and into the black market.

Federal rules allow only one nicotine pouch brand, Zonnic, to be sold behind pharmacy counters in Canada. Store owners say they’re seeing more adults asking for smoke-free alternatives, but regulations restrict product availability and prevent staff from making even basic comparisons between options that customers are actively seeking.