351. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the measures her Department is taking to stop novel nicotine products, such as nicotine pearls, from entering and being sold on the marketplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55963/25]
352. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the powers she has to prevent novel nicotine products being sold on the market before they have been regulated as genuine tobacco cessation products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55964/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 352 together.

The EU Tobacco Products Directive regulates all tobacco products, including novel tobacco products, as well as electronic cigarettes containing nicotine and herbal products for smoking. It does not currently apply to novel nicotine products, and as such these products are not regulated by EU or domestic tobacco control legislation.

This is a separate regulatory framework to medical products which are licensed for smoking cessation, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapies. 

It is recognised that EU-wide regulation on novel nicotine products would be more effective than individual Member States taking action as it ensures that measures cannot be avoided through cross-border purchases. As 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 Directive as soon as possible. I have called for that proposal to include all novel nicotine products and for this measure to include a ban on cross-border distance sales so that national measures cannot be avoided through purchases from other jurisdictions. 

My current legislative priority is the comprehensive regulation of nicotine inhaling products such as e-cigarettes, addressing point of sale display, the appearance of these devices, packaging, flavours and a ban on disposable vapes. Drafting is significantly advanced and this legislation is prioritised for publication in the Autumn Legislative Programme.

The broader focus of policy in this area continues to be ending the immense harms caused by tobacco, which continues to be the most widely used and most harmful nicotine product in Ireland, causing almost 100 deaths and 1000 hospitalisations every single week. The Tobacco Free Ireland policy is currently being revised, in order to set out clear steps to bring us to the tobacco-free goal, and effectively protect young people from nicotine products and potential harm.

Question No. 352 answered with Question No. 351.