The Government is being urged to address the regulation of Nicotine Pouches in Ireland amid growing concerns about their accessibility and potential serious health impacts, particularly on young people.
Aontú Senator Sarah O’Reilly who is raising the issue in the Seanad says,
“These pouches were originally introduced as aids to help smokers quit and are now widely available in some retail outlets across the country. Their low cost and easy accessibility make them particularly appealing to young people, which is a real and pressing cause for concern. While several European countries have implemented outright bans or imposed stringent restrictions on the sale of these products, their availability in Ireland remains completely unregulated. In countries such as Australia and New Zealand, nicotine pouches are only available via prescription”.
“I am concerned about the rising popularity of these pouches amongst young people. Unlike cigarettes or vapes, they are unregulated and easily accessible since they’re not classified as tobacco products. Many users are dependent on these pouches, which can be used discreetly anywhere. Over 7% of 15-16-year-olds have tried them, and awareness continues to grow according to ASH studies.
“The Irish Heart Foundation is calling for regulation or a potential ban. The indoor smoking ban introduced in Ireland in 2004 led to a steady decline in smoking rates and now we have the opportunity to build on this very positive development by regulating the sale of these pouches and take action to protect the health of our younger generation”.
“I personally know individuals who use these products, and I have seen first-hand the ease with which they are able to purchase them,” Senator O’Reilly said. “Many parents are deeply concerned about how accessible and affordable nicotine pouches have become, especially for young people.”
“Nicotine is a highly addictive substance with often detrimental health consequences. It can raise heart rate and blood pressure, cause stomach upset and gum irritation, and lead to other nasty side effects such as light-headedness and nausea. Of particular concern is the impact on brain development in young people, which can be seriously impaired by using nicotine”.
“As smoking rates decline , major tobacco companies are increasingly focusing on alternative products like nicotine pouches to sustain their lucrative revenue streams and as we know they have huge budgets to market their products”.
. “Public health experts in this country have warned that the current lack of regulation leaves Ireland’s young and impressionable people highly vulnerable to the aggressive marketing strategies of multinational tobacco companies. Advocacy groups, including the Irish Heart Foundation, stress that without urgent legislative action, a new generation risks becoming addicted to nicotine through these seemingly innocuous pouches”.
“I want a firm commitment from the Government to address this issue and regulate these products without delay”.
