Nicotine pouches should be viewed as a gateway to lifelong nicotine dependency
The government’s failure to regulate the sale of nicotine pouches poses an ongoing threat to children’s health and wellbeing, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
“Today, the Irish Cancer society has highlighted that popular festivals – like Electric Picnic – are partnering with nicotine pouch companies, which will further promote these products to young people.
“It is incredibly disappointing to see festivals, attended by hundreds and thousands of people, used as vehicles to market nicotine products.
“It is now nearly two years since I first started raising the dangers posed by nicotine pouches and demanding urgent regulation.
“Incredibly, the government has yet to act – despite the fact that the use of these pouches is proliferating among children and young people.
“I am not the only one who has sounded the alarm. The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals have long called for the HSE to issue a health advisory notice on nicotine pouches, which are increasing prevalent in schools.
“While these pouches are cynically branded as a safer alternative to smoking, in reality they should be viewed as a gateway to lifelong nicotine dependency.
“In recent years we have seen welcome restrictions on the sale of vaping products and e-cigarettes to under-18s, as well as legislation to ban disposable vapes and increase the minimum legal smoking age to 21.
“The government’s failure to regulate the sale of nicotine pouches poses an ongoing threat to children’s health and wellbeing.
“It must now get its act together and immediately introduce age restrictions and regulations on the sale and marketing of nicotine pouches.”