1838. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the rationale for distinguishing between nicotine inhaling and nicotine-consumption products in the proposed Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026; and the implications of any differentiation in terms of regulatory approaches. [19208/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill contains multiple measures in relation to nicotine inhaling products.

Following a Government Decision of 18 November 2025, the Bill will also regulate current recreational nicotine products such as pouches and any future product designed for the recreational use of nicotine, that is “nicotine consumption products".

The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill was approved by Government for publication on the 3rd of March.

In addition to the comprehensive measures in the Bill on nicotine inhaling products it will also set out baseline regulation of all current and future products that contain nicotine, such as nicotine pouches.

The Bill will:

• Prohibit the sale of nicotine consumption products such as pouches to those under 18.
• Prohibit the advertising of nicotine consumption products in all retail outlets and
• Prohibit the point-of-sale display of these products in mixed retail outlets.

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 the most effective approach, 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.