390. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if his Department intends to legislate for nicotine pouches and equivalent products in a similar manner as traditional tobacco products were legislated for under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 and the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15640/22] 

391. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he intends to legislate for heated tobacco products in a similar manner as traditional tobacco products were legislated for under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 and the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15641/22] 

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 390 and 391 together. 

Heated tobacco products are tobacco products for the purposes of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 - 2015, and as novel tobacco products within the EU Tobacco Products Directive, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sales of Products) Regulations 2016. 

The regulation of nicotine pouches is being discussed at EU level, both in terms of how these products are categorised and in the context of the review of the Tobacco Products Directive.