The new legislation has received Cabinet approval.
The selling of e-cigarettes or vapes to those under 18 years of age is to be banned as part of new legislation passed by Cabinet on Tuesday (30 May).
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Hildegarde Naughton have received government approval to publish the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill and bring it forward for enactment.
This bill is said to include “wide-ranging measures to tackle smoking and vaping among those aged under 18 years and all adults”.
The legislation will:
- prohibit the sale of nicotine-inhaling products to anyone under 18 years
- prohibit the sale of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products at events for children
- prohibit the self-service sale of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products
- introduce a strict licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products
- prohibit the advertising of nicotine-inhaling products around schools and on public transport
- provide additional enforcement powers to the Environmental Health Service for measures in the bill and for all previous tobacco control acts
A statement from the Department of Health says that the measures are focused on “preventing children from beginning to smoke or vape to protect their health”.
Regarding the bill, Donnelly explained:
“Tobacco smoking continues to kill 4,500 people in Ireland every year and remains the biggest single cause of disability and death combined in our country. In the past, we have been recognised as global leaders in tobacco control, but our smoking rate continues to remain unacceptably high at 18%.
“We have all seen the rise in popularity of vaping and especially among our young people. Our research tells us that vaping among adolescents increases the likelihood that they will later smoke. Our Bill is designed to intervene at each phase of the process through which these products are sold.
“I am determined to continue to make the necessary legislative changes to confront smoking and vaping and help us all to make the healthy decision for ourselves and our families.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has welcomed the move, stating that it is important to make sure that “future generations of young people don’t get attracted to vaping”. He added that he believes the new bill will have the “desired impact”.
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