916. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if she will consider introducing a ban on the sale of nicotine pouches, which are currently unregulated, in order to protect public health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39038/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: My current legislative priority is the comprehensive regulation of nicotine inhaling products addressing point of sale display, the appearance of these devices, packaging, flavours and a ban on disposable vapes. Ireland is one of several EU countries that are moving ahead with domestic legislation on these products in the absence of EU-wide regulation which would be more effective, as it would ensure that the measures could not be avoided through cross-border purchases.

A revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive has been long awaited. I have, on behalf of Ireland and several other Member States, recently called on the European Commission to bring forward the revised Tobacco Products Directive as soon as possible. I have called for that proposal to include all novel nicotine products such as pouches, and for this measure to include a ban on cross-border distance sales to avoid the circumvention of any national measures.