Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026: Second Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-09-22
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Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (FF), Carlow-Kilkenny

): I thank the Members of the Seanad who spoke today. This debate and engagement on this Bill are important and it is about progressing this Bill as far as we can. I will go back to some of the questions that were asked of me.
Senator Costello asked about nicotine pouches at any event in general. I will not talk about a particular event. This law will ban distribution of free nicotine pouches to children but also it will ban retail advertising of them, both in physical locations and online. The definition of "retail" includes where products are being distributed for free, so that will be banned. To keep the Senator updated, a proposal to update the EU law in advertising and sponsorship of tobacco and nicotine products is expected before the end of the year. The ban on the sale of tobacco pouches to under-18s includes a ban on giving them our for free. They should not be giving them out for free; that is not right either.
The EU tobacco products directive regulates the quality and safety of e-cigarettes devices so the non-compliant products can be seized and destroyed. That is something we are working on and I know the other Senator mentioned that as well.
EU-wide regulations will make this legislation easier to enforce. We spoke about enforcement and that is important. We are increasing resources for enforcement and I am very mindful of that. As we have brought in a licence every year to sell cigarettes and vapes, that helps with enforcement and being able to monitor this.
Senator Maria Byrne mentioned the big puff disposable vapes. This are regulated at EU level so will be a matter for the next EU directive. We spoke about the directives and I hope that will come in as soon as possible but it is at EU level, just to let the Senator know.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-09-22/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-22