Electronic Cigarettes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016

Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Questions (926)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

926. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health the reason the mechanics, cost and detail required by manufacturers of vaping products to comply with the law have not been forthcoming from his Department, regarding the drafting of legislation to implement the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPDII) and more specifically, Article 20(2) referring to a proposed notification submission system for vaping products; the estimated cost of the notification system to the State per annum; the way that cost has been calculated; the way the scheme will be funded; when the notification scheme will be published; the body that will be responsible for the management of the notification system; the products which will need to be notified and by whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10568/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The regulation of electronic cigarettes is provided for in Directive 2014/40/EU, and in particular Article 20; Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/2183 establishing a common format for the notification of electronic cigarettes and refill containers and Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/586 on technical standards for the refill mechanism of electronic cigarettes. The Directive is required to be transposed by 20 May 2016, and my Department is currently working with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to transpose the requirements of the Directive and the Implementing Decisions.

As my Department will be unable to ascertain the number of manufacturers and importers of electronic cigarettes and refill containers before 20 November 2016, it is not possible to quantify the estimated cost at this stage.