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Electronic Cigarettes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 November 2018

Thursday, 29 November 2018

Questions (136)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

136. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce legislation to regulate shops selling vaping products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49868/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Government has approved the drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill to provide for the introduction of a licensing system and other measures in relation to the sale of non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes, as well as tobacco products. The legislation will include a prohibition on the sale of non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes, by and to persons under 18 years of age. The drafting of a Regulatory Impact Assessment and the General Scheme is on-going.

Electronic cigarettes are already regulated under the EU (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016. These Regulations transposed the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) and came into effect on 20 May 2016.

The Regulations provide for certain safety and quality requirements for e-cigarettes containing nicotine including maximum nicotine concentrations and maximum volumes for cartridges, tanks and nicotine liquid containers. E-cigarettes must be child-resistant and tamper proof and have a mechanism that ensures refilling without spillage to protect consumers. E-cigarette ingredients must be of high purity and e-cigarettes must deliver the same amount of nicotine for puffs of the same strength and duration.

In addition the Regulations provide that health warnings for e-cigarettes are mandatory advising consumers that e-cigarettes contain nicotine and should not be used by non-smokers. Packaging must include a list of all ingredients contained in the product, information on its nicotine content and a leaflet setting out instructions for use and information on adverse effects, risk groups, addictiveness and toxicity. Promotional elements are not allowed on e-cigarette packaging and the cross-border advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes is prohibited.

Finally the Regulations provide that e-cigarette manufacturers must notify the HSE of all products that are placed on the market.

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