Tobacco Control Measures

Wednesday, 25 June 2025

Ceisteanna (192)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

192. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 16 of 29 February 2024, and given the continuing prevalence of the large, colourful and attention-grabbing tobacco price lists used in shops to highlight certain tobacco products, if she will examine providing for such amendment in the Bill to further regulate nicotine inhaling products, which is currently being drafted; if not, if she will consider amending current regulations in order to assist with enforcement efforts regarding the use in certain retail outlets of these text only, large, colourful and attention-grabbing posters which are used to highlight certain tobacco products for sale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34686/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I am aware of efforts by a small number of retailers to use the tobacco price list in a manner that resembles an advertisement. The Deputy previously raised this issue during the passage of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023.

Price lists are provided for in section 43(5) of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 and are prescribed in the Public Health (Tobacco) (Product Information) Regulations 2009, SI 123 of 2009.

The National Environmental Health Service of the HSE, the enforcement body for the Tobacco Acts, has already taken action against what it determines to be an inappropriate use of price lists. It has also discussed this issue with my Department and has not sought any amendments to the relevant Regulations. On that basis, it appears that this is a matter of enforcement rather than further legislation, though that option remains available if amendments to the current Regulations would be of use for enforcement purposes.