Major crackdown on vapes and nicotine pouches for under 18s approved 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 have this week announced the Government has approved publication of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026.

It will now be brought forward for enactment.

READ NEXT: School bus services across Ireland could be at risk as fuel prices soar due to Iran war

The Bill will further regulate nicotine inhaling products and introduce measures to address other novel nicotine products 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 inhaling products 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.
• Prohibit all flavour descriptors and language other than basic flavour names for nicotine inhaling products.
• Limit flavours in nicotine inhaling products to tobacco with power to make changes by regulation.

The inclusion of legislation on novel nicotine products is designed to be future proofed; it will apply not only to products currently on the market but also any new nicotine products that emerge, ensuring that baseline measures to protect children are in place as the market evolves.

READ NEXT: PICTURES: See inside the stunning first house to make RTE Home of the Year final

Minister Carroll McNeill said:

“This Bill will enhance and expand existing legislation on nicotine inhaling products by reducing their appeal, visibility and accessibility. It will also prohibit the sale of current and future recreational nicotine products to minors and reduce their visibility in retail outlets.

“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.”

Minister Murnane O’Connor said:

“I welcome the approval of Government to bring these important public health measures forward for enactment. I particularly welcome the approach taken to address new products such as nicotine pouches which will ensure that new law to protect our children does not have to be developed each time a new product comes onto the market.

“We are dealing with an increasingly aggressive industry marketing attractively packaged addictive products that appeal to children. We are responding strongly with measures that will protect our young people against current and future threats.

READ NEXT: Search for missing 53-year-old woman stood down following tragic discovery of body

“This Bill complements the legislation already underway to ban single-use vapes, and I am very pleased to be bringing the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill through the Committee and all remaining Stages in the Dáil this evening.

“I look forward to working with Minister Carroll McNeill to bring these measures into operation as soon as possible.”