Trevor Sargent
Question:114 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health the arrangements and plans, if any, which exist for banning the sale of all solvents to persons under 18 years of age and for the listing of these items by name.
Written Answers. - Sale of Solvent Based Products.
Section 74 of the Child Care Act 1991 which came into operation on 1 December 1991, makes it an offence for a retailer to sell any substance to a person under 18 years where the retailer has reason to believe that the substance or its fumes will be inhaled for the purpose of causing intoxication. The penalty for an offence is a fine of up to £1,000 and/or up to twelve months' imprisonment.
The enforcement of this provision is a matter for the Gardaí. The section also empowers the Gardaí to seize substances in the possession of children in public places which they suspect are being abused.
The range of solvent based products that can be used for glue-sniffing purposes is extensive. I understand that the labelling and listing of such products involves consideration of EC Directives on the classification and labelling of dangerous products and on the free movement of goods within the Community. This would appear to be primarily a matter for the Department of Enterprise and Employment and the Health and Safety Authority.
My Department's Health Promotion Unit has undertaken a campaign to increase public awareness of the problem and dangers of solvent abuse. As part of this campaign, the Unit has produced an information booklet for retailers and a guide for professionals and parents. This material has been widely circulated and I am arranging to have a copy sent to the Deputy.