Are Nicotine Pouches Legal in Ireland?

Alex Turner

The Law

If you are considering converting to nicotine pouches and live in Ireland, or you’re a keen pouch user and are heading to the country, you’ll be glad to know that nicotine pouches are legal in Ireland.

As of May 2025, nicotine pouches are legal in Ireland and mostly unregulated.

In this guide, we’ll explore the legality of nicotine pouches in Ireland and consider the government’s attitude to pouches.

Legal classification

Overall, Ireland demonstrates one of the most laissez-faire approaches to nicotine pouch regulation, with few restrictions placed on the sale and marketing of pouches.

Nicotine pouches are not classed as a tobacco product under Irish or EU law. This means they are not regulated in the same way as cigarettes, and each country has to devise its regulatory approach.

Because of this, in Ireland, there is no legal minimum age for purchasing nicotine pouches.

In practice, most retailers impose voluntary age restrictions, matching the legal age of smoking. This is in spite of there being no statutory requirement to avoid the sale of nicotine pouches to minors.

Health warnings and packaging

When you buy a pack of cigarettes or a vape in most European countries, you are confronted by numerous health warnings. In the case of cigarettes, these can be quite grisly to discourage smoking.

However, in Ireland, nicotine pouch packaging does not have to include health warnings.

Indeed, there are no standardized packaging requirements for nicotine pouches. Some manufacturers voluntarily include health warnings on their products, but this is not enforced by Irish law.

No taxation = affordable nicotine

Nicotine pouches are not taxed in Ireland. This is unlike tobacco and vaping products.

This is good news for pouch users, as it makes them the most affordable nicotine product option in Ireland.

If you’re looking to enjoy a nicotine buzz in Ireland, pouches are best for your pocket. Plus, nicotine pouches are widely considered to have fewer health risks than smoking, according to studies.

Health concerns and lobbying

Health authorities like The Health Service Executive (HSE) have warned that nicotine pouches can contain high levels of nicotine and may pose a risk to minors.

From this, some policymakers have called for stricter regulations. Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore has suggested including nicotine pouches in proposed legislation that will ban disposable vapes and restrict flavoured nicotine products in general.

Could Ireland’s nicotine pouch regulations tighten?

While Ireland’s pouch regulations are currently very liberal, there is the possibility that the regulatory landscape will shift in the coming months and years.

Health authorities and lawmakers continue to discuss the potential risks associated with pouches across Europe and certain countries are imposing stricter regulations.

Read more about how pouches are regulated across Europe:

• Are nicotine pouches legal in Lithuania?
• Are nicotine pouches legal in Hungary?
• Are nicotine pouches legal in Germany?

"Ireland's nicotione pouches could change in the future. Ordering your favourite pouches while you have the chance is a smart move.”

Summing up

Nicotine pouches are available in convenience stores, petrol stations, and supermarkets across Ireland. They are also available to buy online from reputable online retailers like AWO.

When you buy online, you can enjoy a range of benefits:

• The best brands – Choose from a wide selection of popular brands including, Velo, Skruf, and Baow.
• Choose your strength – Nicotine pouches come in a variety of strengths, however, when you buy from physical stores your options are limited. Typically, the highest and lowest range of strengths is lower.
• Competitively priced – When you buy in bulk you can secure serious discounts to save money when using nicotine pouches.