Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 June 2025
232. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health her views on the merits of implementing a ban on the sale of all nicotine inhaling products within a 500-metre radius of any primary or secondary school; if any research into this proposal has been carried out by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34946/25]
View answerThe primary focus of policy and action in relation to e-cigarettes is to reduce uptake by children and young people.
The proposed measures in the Public Health (Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill take into consideration the population-level impact of vaping and the need for a high level of health protection for young people. The proposals include a review structure to monitor the impact of any restrictions on e-cigarette use and smoking among both young people and adults, as well as provisions to amend the list of allowed flavours as new evidence presents.
The Bill will contain a range of measures to reduce youth use of nicotine inhaling products such as vapes. This includes:
• a ban on point-of-sale display and advertising of these products in most shops,
• restrictions on the colours and imagery used on nicotine inhaling products and their packaging,
• a ban on devices resembling toys or games,
• restrictions on flavours for sale and requirements for only basic flavour names to be used, and
• a complete ban on disposable vapes.
Once completed, the draft legislation will require notification at EU level under the Technical Standards Directive (Directive 2015/1535).
Assessment of the effectiveness of these comprehensive measures to reduce youth use of these products will indicate whether additional measures might be necessary or useful.
