2146. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if she will consider banning nicotine pouches and other novel nicotine products within the Nicotine Inhaling Products Bill as France and other EU Member States have done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19493/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: 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. In addition, there is currently little evidence on possible health harms from nicotine pouches as they are a relatively recent product.

According to available data, the prevalence of nicotine pouch use remains low in the adult population across the EU. Data on adolescent use of nicotine pouches in Ireland is being collected as part of the most recent European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD).

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 EU 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.