Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
518. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to larger disposable nicotine vaping devices that are becoming increasingly prevalent (details supplied); if she believes that these devices will be covered under the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2961/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra519. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the actions she has taken to ensure that the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 will be future proofed against developments in technology and attempts to find loopholes that would allow the sale of disposable nicotine vaping in other forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2962/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra520. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the research and expert involvement in the drafting process of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2963/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra521. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the experience of the UK Government in relation to their ban on disposable nicotine vapes in June 2025; specifically in reference to the continued legality of larger disposable devices (details supplied); if she is conscious of the need to include these devices in the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2964/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra522. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any research carried out in relation to international comparisons when drafting the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; the lessons that can be learned from countries that have already implemented a ban on single use vaping products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2965/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 518 to 522, inclusive, together.
The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill will apply to any vape that is a single-use vape. This includes devices which are not refillable, have a battery which cannot be recharged or a coil which cannot be replaced.
The development of the proposed legislation included consultation with officials in France, Belgium and the UK to learn from the experiences of implementation in these jurisdictions. The Bill was drafted with the Office of the Attorney General.
As with tobacco legislation, a suite of measures is required to have the intended policy impact. The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes Bill) is one of several interventions aimed at reducing the appeal and availability of nicotine inhaling products to young people. This includes the measures being drafted in the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill, and the E-Liquid Products Tax recently implemented by my colleague the Minister for Finance.
It is worth noting that tank, pod and refill container sizes for electronic cigarettes are regulated by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) transposed into Irish law in 2016. The National Environmental Health Service of the HSE is the enforcement authority for the relevant provisions of the TPD.
As the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill is currently before the Oireachtas, I look forward to further discussion on the provisions in that context.
