Cabinet approval has been given to draft a complete ban on the sale, manufacture or import of single-use or disposable vape products in Ireland.
The legislation will also ban a range of flavours that the government believe appeal to children. Point-of-sale display and advertising would be prohibited other than in specialised shops that only stock vape products.
Health minister Stephen Donelly also hopes to place restrictions on colours and imagery on vape packaging and devices. This is also to ensure they are not targeted towards children and young people.
TD for Cork North-Central Colm Burke said the proposed measures would introduce ‘serious restrictions’ through a ‘step by step’ process. The new legislation was prompted by concerns around the environmental and public health impact of disposable vape products.
Stephen Donnelly also expressed concerns that vapes sold in Ireland contain the maximum dose of nicotine permitted (20mg). He said that vapes alone are not an effective method of quitting cigarette smoking.
A ban on the sale of all vape and e-cigarette products to under-18s came into effect last year in Ireland. Further measures such as restricting advertising, pop-up shops and vending machine sales will come into effect in 2025.
Taoiseach Simon Harris described vaping as ‘the revenge of the tobacco industry’. He said: ‘We live in a country where around 13% of people between the ages of 12 and 17 have vaped in the last 30 days. We need to take action.’
Vape ‘epidemic’
A recent study found that teens diagnosed with mental health problems are twice as likely to have vaped. Vape use was also 74% higher for participants who reported moderate stress and 64% higher for those who reported high stress.
Trial co-leader Dr Lauren Gardner said: ‘More research is needed to understand the complex relationship between mental health and vaping, however these findings highlight the urgent need for prevention and early intervention approaches, backed by evidence, to support both the short- and long-term health and wellbeing of young people.’
Professor David Strain, chair of the British Medical Association’s (BMA) board of science, highlighted the ‘epidemic’ of vaping in a recent report. He said: ‘Vape usage has risen hugely in the last decade, with one in 10 adults now vaping.
‘However, far more worrying, is the increase in young people who vape, with almost six times more 11-17-year-olds vaping now compared with 10 years ago.
‘As a doctor, I understand the role vapes can play in helping people to stop smoking, but they have no rightful place in our children and young people’s lives and when it comes to protecting their health, we cannot afford to gamble.’
Professor Strain said the vape industry was ‘obviously targeting children with colours, flavours and branding’, calling for tighter restrictions. In particular, the report recommends government education programmes, banning disposable vapes and all non-tobacco flavours, and advertising restrictions.
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