561. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health her plans to regulate the sale of nicotine products for oral consumption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64167/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: On the 18th of November 2025, the Government approved the addition of baseline measures on all non-medicinal nicotine containing products, including pouches, to my current draft (Public Heath Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill. These measures will introduce a minimum legal age of sale, a restriction on point of sale display and a prohibition on advertising in retail outlets. They will be developed in early 2026.

Nicotine pouches are not currently subject to regulation under European Union tobacco control legislation. A harmonised EU-wide framework for regulating these products would be more effective than individual Member State action, as it prevents regulatory circumvention through cross-border purchases.

In this context, representing Ireland and several other Member States, I recently urged the European Commission to introduce new EU tobacco control legislation at the earliest opportunity. I have also advocated for the inclusion of all novel nicotine products—such as nicotine pouches—within the scope of this proposal. I have also called for a prohibition on cross-border distance sales to ensure the integrity of national regulatory measures.

Nicotine pouch use remains very low within the adult population, while 17% are current tobacco smokers. Preventing smoking initiation and encouraging its cessation remain the primary focus in relation to nicotine use. Half of all smokers will eventually die from a tobacco-related illness and each week in Ireland tobacco smoking kills over 100 people and causes over 1000 hospitalisations.

658. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health her plans to introduce regulations on the sale and use of nicotine pouches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65062/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: On the 18th of November 2025 the Government approved the addition of measures to my draft (Public Heath Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill to regulate all non-medicinal nicotine products such as pouches. These measures are a minimum legal age of sale, restrictions on point of sale display and a prohibition on advertising in retail outlets. These new measures will be developed in early 2026.

Nicotine pouches are not currently subject to regulation under European Union tobacco control legislation. A harmonised EU-wide framework for regulating novel nicotine products would be more effective than individual Member State action, as it prevents regulatory circumvention through cross-border purchases

In this context and representing the views of Ireland and several other Member States, I have urged the European Commission to introduce new legislation at the earliest opportunity. Furthermore, I also have advocated for the inclusion of all novel nicotine products—such as nicotine pouches—within the scope of this proposal. I have also called for a prohibition on cross-border distance sales to ensure the integrity of national regulatory measures.

Nicotine pouch use remains very low within the adult population, while 17% are current tobacco smokers. Preventing smoking initiation and encouraging its cessation remain the primary focus in relation to nicotine use. Half of all smokers will eventually die from a tobacco-related illness and each week in Ireland tobacco smoking kills over 100 people and causes over 1000 hospitalisations.

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-20/658/#pq_658