THE GOVERNMENT HAS agreed the terms of new legislation that will ban the sale of nicotine pouches to under 18s.

Nicotine pouches are small rectangles containing nicotine, flavorings and other ingredients which users put between their lip and gum.

They are not currently covered by legislation on tobacco or vapes.

However, the new legislation also clamp down on flavours for nicotine products in its bid to regulate their use among young people.

It broadly seeks to get to grips with an “increasingly aggressive industry” that is marketing “attractively packaged addictive” products that appeal to children, according to Minister for Public Health Jennifer Murnane O’Connor.

“We are responding strongly with measures that will protect our young people against current and future threats,” junior minister Murnane O’Connor added.

This legislation – officially called the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 – will now be brought forward for enactment.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Murnane O’Connor announced the Government’s approval of the publication of the Bill this morning.

Regarding the nicotine pouches, Carroll MacNeill said the Bill will be “reducing their appeal, visibility and accessibility” when enacted.

“Together these laws represent a comprehensive package to limit the promotion and sale of these addictive products,” Carroll MacNeill said.

The Bill will also 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.

It will 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.

All flavour descriptors and language other than basic flavour names will also be banned.