1581. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health to outline what regulations apply to the sale of non-inhalant nicotine products, such as pouches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57069/23]

1582. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the increased number of people under the age of 18 years using non-inhalant nicotine products, such as pouches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57070/23]

1583. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if any analysis has been undertaken as to the health risks associated with non-inhalant nicotine products, such as pouches, particularly to those under 18 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57071/23]

1584. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if his Department is tracking consumer rates of purchase and consumption of non-inhalant nicotine products, such as pouches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57072/23]

1585. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that non-inhalant nicotine products are flavoured, brightly packaged, marketed, and given prime placement behind the counter in most stores in a similar fashion to vapes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57073/23]

1586. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he believes that non-inhalant nicotine products should be subject to the same plain packaging regulation as cigarettes are in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57074/23]

1587. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the need to regulate the packaging, selling and advertising of non-inhalant nicotine products in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57075/23]

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1581, 1582, 1583, 1584, 1585, 1586 and 1587 together.

Nicotine pouches are currently not covered by domestic or EU tobacco control legislation, with some Member States classifying them as either a foodstuff or medicine. 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. An EU public consultation was carried out in 2023 to gain views on further regulation of novel products such as nicotine pouches, and a proposal from the EU Commission is expected this year.

It is understood that prevalence of nicotine pouch use remains extremely low in the adult population across the EU. Data on adolescent use of nicotine pouches in Ireland will be collected as part of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) in 2024. There is very little independent evidence available regarding any health harms from nicotine pouches, though they contain nicotine which is an addictive substance. My Department continues to monitor any emerging evidence regarding these products.