Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
563. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health her plans to introduce amendments to regulate nicotine pouches in the forthcoming Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 given that the European Commission has indicated its intention to publish its evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive in the first half of 2026 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18035/26]
View answerThe 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 their point-of-sale display in mixed retail outlets.
• As is the case for tobacco and e-cigarettes, these areas generally fall to domestic law rather than European legislation.
• Beyond this, 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.
