Government agrees bill to ban sale of nicotine pouches to U-18s

Nicotine pouches

A bill to ban the sale of nicotine pouches to under-18s has been agreed by government.

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and the Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drug Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor on Tuesday announced the Government has approved publication of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026.

The bill will further regulate nicotine vaping products and introduce measures to address other "novel" nicotine products such as nicotine pouches.

It will:

- Prohibit the sale of nicotine consumption products such as pouches to those under 18

- Prohibit the advertising of nicotine inhaling products like vapes and nicotine consumption products in all retail outlets and prohibit their point-of-sale display in mixed retail outlets

- Restrict colours and imagery on nicotine inhaling product devices and packaging, as well as prohibit the sale of devices resembling or functioning as other products such as toys or games

- Ban all flavour descriptors and language other than basic flavour names for vapes

- Limit flavours in nicotine inhaling products to tobacco

A Department of Health statement said the inclusion of legislation on novel nicotine products is designed to be "future proofed" and will apply not only to products currently on the market but also any new nicotine products that emerge.

Ms Carroll MacNeill said: “Together these laws represent a comprehensive package to limit the promotion and sale of these addictive products. They also illustrate Ireland’s continuing leadership on tobacco and nicotine control, as part of efforts to support and protect our population to live healthier lives.”

Separately, Ms Carroll MacNeill told Cabinet she has appointed facilitators for two scoping exercises which could lead to inquiries.

Firstly, the Health Minister has announced the appointment of Lorcan Staines SC as the independent facilitator for the scoping exercise requested on behalf of the victims and survivors of Michael Shine.

The appointment follows the agreement by Government in November 2025 to a time-bound scoping exercise. Work commenced on Tuesday and will run for up to 16 weeks.

"Mr Staines will fulfil his role as facilitator through direct engagement with victims and survivors of Michael Shine, working alongside their NGO support group, Dignity4Patients. During the process Dignity4Patients will have the support of expert advisors Maeve Lewis, former CEO of One in Four, and Professor Phil Scraton, a specialist in inquests and inquiry models, as well as their solicitor, Diarmuid Brecknell of Phoenix Law," a statement said.

The final report and recommendations will be submitted to government to "guide the development of an appropriate response to the issues raised, and to the needs identified".

Ms Carroll MacNeill has also announced that Remy Farrell SC will be the independent facilitator for the scoping exercise that will inform the terms of reference and potential structure of the statutory public inquiry into spina bifida and complex scoliosis services.

This exercise will take up to 16 weeks.

A statement said that Mr Farrell will directly engage with families, advocacy groups, clinicians, and other stakeholders, "recognising the seriousness of the concerns raised and the need for a thorough, transparent examination of services".

The final report and recommendations will be submitted to Government.