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Using NRT in Ireland

Profile
Ireland Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Ireland Background
Profile
Ireland Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2022.   Page updated: 2026-05-26

In Ireland, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is legally allowed. This includes the sale and purchase of NRT products without a prescription from general stores. NRT products are included on the country’s essential drugs list, and the government partially covers NRT cost. The estimated market size of NRT products in Ireland was 27.1 million € in 2019.

Product promotion

27.1 million €
1
2019
40 €
1
2019
References:
  1. Consumer Health: Euromonitor from trade sources/national statistics. Date Exported: 8/9/2019. (c) Euromonitor International 2019

Regulation

References:
  1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-irl.pdf?sfvrsn=2c981716_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 December 2025.

Availability

Yes
1
2022
Yes
1
2022
Year Value Reference/Comment
2019 Yes 1A
2022 Yes 1B
References:
  1. WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2019. https://www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/ (2019).
  2. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-irl.pdf?sfvrsn=2c981716_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 December 2025.
Yes
2
2019
Year Value Reference/Comment
2019 many general shops without a prescription 1A
2022 General store 1B
References:
  1. WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2019. https://www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/ (2019).
  2. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-irl.pdf?sfvrsn=2c981716_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 December 2025.
References:
  1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-irl.pdf?sfvrsn=2c981716_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 December 2025.
  2. WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2019. https://www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/ (2019).

Formal support

Yes NRT is on the country's essential drugs list.
1 A
2022
References:
  1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-irl.pdf?sfvrsn=2c981716_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 December 2025.
Comments:
  1. NRT cost is partially covered by the government.

Publications

Dec
2023

Tobacco harm reduction and people experiencing homelessness – a UK perspective

With such high smoking rates among people who experience homelessness or rough sleeping in the UK, this Briefing Paper looks at the potential for tobacco harm reduction to help reduce the health inequalities seen in this vulnerable population.

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.