Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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2144. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a plan to develop a new tobacco-free Ireland programme implementation plan given that the current one is due to expire in 2025; if a working group will be established to progress same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19491/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Tobacco Free Ireland Programme and its implementation plan was developed and is managed by the HSE. I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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2145. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the number of sign-ups to the QUIT programme in each of the years 2018 to 2024; to itemise funding assigned to the programme per year; if the current QUIT campaign covers nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19492/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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2146. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider banning nicotine pouches and other novel nicotine products within the Nicotine Inhaling Products Bill as France and other EU Member States have done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19493/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Nicotine pouches are currently not covered by domestic or EU tobacco control legislation, with some Member States classifying them as either a foodstuff or medicine. In addition, there is currently little evidence on possible health harms from nicotine pouches as they are a relatively recent product.

According to available data, the prevalence of nicotine pouch use remains low in the adult population across the EU. Data on adolescent use of nicotine pouches in Ireland is being collected as part of the most recent European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD).

The regulation of nicotine pouches is being discussed at EU level, both in terms of how these products are categorised and in the context of the review of the EU Tobacco Products Directive. An EU public consultation was carried out in 2023 to gain views on further regulation of novel products such as nicotine pouches, and a proposal from the EU Commission is expected.