RBH Execs Highlight Canada's Illicit Nicotine Trade Challenges at Global Summit
Event summary
- RBH's Danny Fournier and Dr. Pascal Michel presented at the LEPH2026 conference in Leeds, UK, on September 15, 2026, discussing Canada's illicit nicotine trade.
- RBH's online monitoring program has removed over 83,000 unauthorized ads for illicit nicotine products since 2019, including 32,000 counterfeit ZYN ads in the past two years.
- Fournier and Michel co-authored a market insight in the 2026 Anti-counterfeiting Law Guide, emphasizing the need for stronger coordination across enforcement, public health, and digital policy.
- RBH is calling for stronger coordination to address Canada's growing illicit market, highlighting disproportionate impacts on certain communities.
The big picture
Canada's illicit nicotine trade is growing, with RBH's data showing significant online market activity. The company's participation in global initiatives highlights the need for international collaboration to address this complex issue. The scale of the problem, with over 83,000 ads removed since 2019, underscores the urgency for coordinated action.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Coordination
- Whether Canada can implement stronger coordination across enforcement, public health, and digital policy to combat illicit trade.
- Market Adaptation
- How criminal networks will adapt to potential policy changes and enforcement strategies.
- Community Impact
- The pace at which disproportionate impacts on certain communities will be addressed in policy discussions and enforcement strategies.