1098. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health her plans to bring forward amendments to the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 to explicitly include nicotine pouches within its scope; whether all relevant provisions of the Act will apply to such products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72325/25]
1099. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the specific regulatory measures she is preparing in relation to nicotine pouches as part of the forthcoming Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2025; including any proposed restrictions, controls, or enforcement mechanisms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72326/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1098 and 1099 together.

On the 18th of November 2025 the Government approved the addition of measures to the 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 measures are currently being drafted with the Office of the Attorney General. 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.