Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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701. To ask the Minister for Health the specific State supports in place to help those looking to quit nicotine inhaling products, such as vapes and nicotine pouches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53834/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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702. To ask the Minister for Health the plans to expand the QUIT Programme to cater for those looking for specific supports to quit nicotine products, such as vapes and pouches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53835/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 701 and 702 together.

The HSE QUIT Service is available to adults who are smoking and vaping (dual-use). In some local services (where there is capacity) behavioural support and advice may be provided to those clients who wish to stop vaping (only). For young people, the HSE Quit 4 Youth is a specific 7-week HSE programme to get help to stop smoking or vaping.

The HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme has prepared a business case and estimates bid for the development of a pilot e cigarette cessation service. This is being considered as part of the budgetary process.

Nicotine pouch use remains very low within the adult population here while 17% are current tobacco smokers. Preventing smoking initiation and encouraging its cessation remain the primary focus in relation to nicotine use as half of all smokers will eventually die from a tobacco-related illness and each week in Ireland tobacco smoking kills over 100 people and causes over 1000 hospitalisations

There have been significant interventions aimed at reducing tobacco use. These include increasing the minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products to 21, the introduction of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy in 2022, and increased investment in smoking cessation services. In addition, funding for the QUIT service has greatly increased in the last three years, from €13 million in 2021 to €21 million in 2024.