Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
681. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which evidence exists in regard to the safety of vaping as an alternative to tobacco smoking; if the practice is deemed to be a gateway by way of introduction to other abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39841/20]
View answer682. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons by age group who are known to practising vaping at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39842/20]
View answer721. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether vaping is habit forming; the consequences of same that have been identified by the health authorities from a public health perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40120/20]
View answer722. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which vaping is deemed safe or otherwise; if specific safety standards exist in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40121/20]
View answer723. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which regulations apply or are likely to be made in relation to vaping with particular reference to maintaining safety standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40122/20]
View answer724. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the Healthy Ireland report deals with standards in vaping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40123/20]
View answer725. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which vaping is proven to assist in the reduction of tobacco smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40124/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 681, 682 and 721 to 725, inclusive, together.
The Healthy Ireland Survey is an annual face-to-face survey commissioned by the Department of Health which, among other health behaviours, examines the prevalence of smoking and e-cigarette usage among the population aged 15 and over. The 2019 Survey found that 5% of the population use e–cigarettes and a further 12% reported having tried them at some point. It also found that 38% of those who made an attempt to quit smoking reported using e-cigarettes during the attempt. The Survey does not examine standards in vaping products.
Electronic cigarettes are currently regulated in Ireland by the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016. These Regulations transposed the EU Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU).
The Regulations introduced minimum standards for the safety and quality of all e-cigarettes and refill containers including limiting the capacity of e-cigarette tanks, limiting the volume of nicotine-containing e-liquid allowed in one refill container and restricting the nicotine strength of e-liquids.
In addition, the Regulations require nicotine-containing products and their packaging to be child-resistant and tamper proof, prohibit certain ingredients including colourings, caffeine and taurine, and provide for mandatory labelling requirements including health warnings. The manufacturers of electronic cigarettes must also notify the HSE and provide details on all ingredients contained in e-cigarettes and e-liquids before they can be sold in Ireland.
The most recent data on the usage of electronic cigarettes among young people is from the European Schools Project on Alcohol and other Drugs 2019 report. Almost 2,000 Irish students aged 15 and 16 years completed the survey in 2019 and it found that 39% of students reported having ever used an e-cigarette with 16% of these reporting using one in the last 30 days.
In October 2020 the Health Research Board published the findings of three evidence reviews on electronic cigarettes that were conducted at the request of the Minister for Health. The main findings of the reviews are as follows:
- Electronic cigarettes are not harmless to users, but there is evidence that they are less harmful than tobacco cigarettes.
- Electronic cigarettes appear to be as effective as nicotine replacement therapies for assisting smoking cessation for an observed period of up to 6 months. Further study is required to determine their effectiveness over a longer period.
- There appears to be an association between the use of electronic cigarettes and subsequent smoking among adolescents.
The General Scheme of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill was approved by Government in October 2019. Along with important tobacco control provisions the Bill will further regulate the sale of electronic cigarettes by prohibiting their sale to, or by, persons under the age of 18 and by introducing a mandatory licence for the retail sale of e-cigarettes. The General Scheme of the Bill has been submitted to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting and has also been referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Health for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny.
