Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1570. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Australia has banned the importation of non-prescription vaping products (details supplied); if he will outline his Department's plans for the future of vaping in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37577/23]
View answerI am aware of the recent developments in Australia regarding non-prescription vaping.
The Upcoming Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will introduce a suite of measures which aim to reduce the appeal and availability of nicotine inhaling products such as electronic cigarettes to young people. In particular the Bill will prohibit the sale of these products to minors and introduce a requirement for a licence for their sale. It is expected that the Bill will be enacted in the next Oireachtas term.
Further effective regulation of nicotine inhaling products is complex. Successful actions on public health issues require multiple evidence-based interventions in order to affect usage. Each aspect of the product, including pricing, advertising, packaging and sale needs to be addressed in order to have a successful impact. There are a range of options for how best to regulate these products while taking into consideration their relative harm compared to combustible tobacco products. In addition, there is already significant regulation of these products at EU level and a proposal for a revised Tobacco Products Directive is also expected in 2024.
In the context of all of these considerations, I am examining options for the development of further legislation on nicotine inhaling products.
