In Ireland, the Minister of Health wants to ban nicotine pouches for minors

Irish Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has declared herself in favor of banning nicotine pouches for those under 18. These gum-like products contain nicotine powder and are consumed by placing them between the lip and gum. The minister described the pouches as particularly problematic because their candy-like appearance and discreet nature make them difficult for parents to detect. However, she acknowledged the difficulties of incorporating such a ban into Irish law, while stating that she wants to act as soon as possible to include these products in a future legal framework.[1].

Public health officials are concerned about the risk of a new epidemic

The Irish Cancer Society has called for tighter regulations on nicotine pouches, saying they clearly target young people and risk becoming the new "vaping epidemic." According to its chief executive, Averil Power, the products cost between €5 and €7 for a box of 15 to 20 pouches, much cheaper than cigarettes, and come in a wide range of sweet flavors.

Their appearance and lack of smoke or vapor make them particularly attractive and easy for teenagers to use discreetly. The organization warns that this situation could replicate the phenomenon observed with e-cigarettes, the use of which has increased sharply among minors in Ireland. According to the organization's estimates, a third of Irish teenagers are currently vaping, a trend also observed in Northern Ireland And increasing among young adults.

" These sachets play no role in smoking cessation ", said Professor Bobby Smyth of Trinity College. Their sole aim is to addict a new generation to nicotine, some of whom will inevitably move on to traditional smoking. […] Some products contain staggering amounts of nicotine. They can cause symptoms of nicotine poisoning, including vomiting, abdominal pain, sweating, and increased blood pressure. […] There are individual pouches containing enough nicotine to kill two 13-year-olds. And sadly, but predictably, no one is responsible for regulating or monitoring these harmful products.. »[2].

Debate on regulation and marketing of nicotine pouches

Ms Power criticised the government's slowness in regulating nicotine use, pointing out that the WHO's recommendations on e-cigarettes date back to 2014, while the first Irish legislation was not adopted until 2023.

It advocates for a broader law, including not only e-cigarettes, but also nicotine pouches and any similar future products. The organization is also concerned about the presence of nicotine brands as sponsors of festivals attended by young people. Around 560,000 people were expected to attend music festivals this summer, including 80,000 at the 2025 edition of the Electric Picnic festival, sponsored by the nicotine pouch brand VELO, owned by British American Tobacco (BAT). Nordic Spirit, owned by Japan Tobacco International (JTI), has also sponsored other music events in recent months.

The Irish Cancer Society considers this practice unethical and unlawful and is calling on the government to put an end to it, noting that tobacco sponsorship has been banned in Ireland for 25 years. It said these new products are a way for the tobacco industry to conquer a new market and avoid the restrictions imposed by legislation on other nicotine products.

Social Democrat MP Jennifer Whitmore reacted: " It is extremely disappointing to see festivals, attended by hundreds of thousands of people, being used as vehicles to market nicotine products. » She added that these bags constitute a " gateway to lifelong nicotine addiction […] The government's failure to regulate the sale of nicotine pouches poses a continuing threat to the health and well-being of children. »[3]. She finally called on the Irish government to " now pull itself together and immediately introduce age restrictions and regulations on the sale and marketing of nicotine pouches. »[4].

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1]RTE, Minister for Health in favor of nicotine pouch ban for children, published August 27, 2025, accessed August 28, 2025

[2]Michael McHale, Music festivals partnering with pouches that 'addict a new generation to nicotine', Irish Medical Times, published 27 August 2025, accessed 28 August 2025

[3]Sophie Finn, Government will 'absolutely' introduce legislation on nicotine pouches, The Journal, published August 27, 2025, accessed August 28, 2025

[4]Social Democrats, Government failure to regulate nicotine pouches poses a threat to children's health and wellbeing, published August 27, 2025, accessed August 28, 2025

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