Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1825. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to develop education and awareness campaigns on the dangers associated with e-cigarette use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38782/23]
View answerCommunicating the harms of e-cigarettes requires a multi-faceted approach depending on the cohort of the population. This is already being implemented in a number of ways:
• The HSE and the Department of Education have developed SPHE modules on tobacco and e-cigarette use for Year 1 and Year 2 students.
• Ireland’s first National Stop Smoking Clinical Guideline was published in January 2022 and is being implemented across the Health Service. The Guideline includes discussion points for health professionals whose patients are using or wish to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking.
• The HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme for 2022-2025 includes developing an awareness training programme for youth workers on nicotine addiction, prevention of e-cigarette initiation and initiation of smoking
• In May 2023, in coordination with the Department of Education, the HSE issued a letter to all school principals for sharing with parents, guardians and staff on the risk of vaping to the health of young people and children. The letter outlined the health harms associated with vaping and provided information on supports available to protect children from those harms which can be found here: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/tobaccocontrol/resources/e-cigarette-resources.html
My Department will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders on this matter.
I hope this is of assistance to you.
