Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 June 2025
233. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any research her Department has carried out into the health impact of smokeless tobacco products, including but not limited to, nicotine pouches; if consideration has been given to put the same level of restriction on these products that apply to cigarettes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34947/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date my Department has not carried out specific research on nicotine pouches however it continues to monitor the national and international evidence on these products. There is currently little evidence on possible health harms which may be due to these being are a relatively recent product.
The regulation of nicotine pouches is being discussed at EU level, both in terms of how these products are categorised and in the context of the review of the EU Tobacco Products Directive. An EU public consultation was carried out in 2023 to gain views on further regulation of novel products such as nicotine pouches, and it is expected that they will be included in the next iteration of the EU Tobacco Products Directive.
