Don’t Ban – Regulate: Why Ireland Needs a Smarter Approach to Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouches help people quit – banning them is a step backwards

At Pouchdaddy, we strongly oppose the Irish government's talk about ban nicotine pouches. This decision, if implemented, would be a major mistake for public health. Thousands of Irish adults have already quit smoking or vaping thanks to nicotine pouches – a smoke-free, tobacco-free alternative that is significantly less harmful than cigarettes.

Instead of banning them, Ireland should be embracing a more sensible, long-term strategy.

A powerful quit aid – not a public threat

Nicotine pouches have helped millions across Europe transition away from harmful tobacco products. They don’t involve combustion, tar, or smoke – making them one of the least harmful nicotine delivery options available to adults. Grouping them in the same category as cigarettes and banning them completely ignores this crucial difference.

What is the Irish government saying?

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill recently declared that efforts are underway to “eradicate nicotine pouches”, calling them “particularly invidious”. She claimed that pouches can deliver “very high doses of nicotine to children in very subtle ways, but very, very quickly.”
(Source: The Journal Ireland, 2025-06)

At the same conference, Taoiseach Micheál Martin called the rise of vaping “the revenge of Big Tobacco,” warning that nicotine is being placed “back on the agenda.” The government also plans to ban flavours like coconut and pineapple to make these products as “unattractive and as boring as possible” for young people.

We at Pouchdaddy agree that nicotine products should never be marketed to minors, but a blanket ban on nicotine pouches is an extreme and short-sighted measure.

Our solution: Responsible regulation – not prohibition

We believe in a balanced and sustainable approach that protects youth while supporting adult smokers looking to quit. That’s why we propose:

• A strict age limit (18+) for all nicotine pouch sales
  
• No marketing targeting underaged people
  
• Clear labelling of ingredients and nicotine strength
  
• A maximum nicotine limit of 16mg per pouch

This ensures that the category remains safe, controlled, and useful for harm reduction – without allowing excess or abuse.

If the ban goes ahead…

If Ireland enacts a full ban on nicotine pouches, popular brands like ZYN, VELO, and Killa will disappear from store shelves. This would take away one of the most effective tobacco harm reduction tools available today – and may even push people back toward smoking or unregulated black-market alternatives.

In conclusion

We urge Irish lawmakers: Regulate, don’t eliminate. Nicotine pouches are not the enemy – they’re a modern solution in the fight against tobacco-related disease. With the right rules in place, we can protect both youth and adult public health.

Source: The Journal Ireland – reporting from the World Conference on Tobacco Control 2025