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. These measures will introduce a minimum legal age of sale, restrictions on point of sale display and a prohibition on advertising in retail outlets for all non-medicinal nicotine containing products. This additional law 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.
On behalf of Ireland and other Member States, I have also urged the European Commission to introduce new tobacco control legislation at EU level at the earliest opportunity to include all novel nicotine products. 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.
