Health Committee to discuss Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill with representatives from the Irish Vape Vendors Association

The following representatives are due to address the meeting

• Alex Pescar – Irish Vape Vendors Association Secretary and owner of Ecricette
• Declan Connolly – Irish Vape Vendors Association Director and owner of ezSmoke.ie
• Joanna O’Connell – Irish Vape Vendors Association Director and Managing Director of Vapourpal

The General Scheme of the Bill was referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Health for pre-legislative scrutiny following approval by Government in October 2019.

The proposed legislation will prohibit the sale of vapes and tobacco- and nicotine-inhaling products to persons under the age of 18. It will also make it illegal for under-18s to sell such products.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Seán Crowe said: “The Committee began pre-legislative scrutiny in November 2021 and we will hear from a number of stakeholders on the issue in the coming months.” 

“The Committee previously heard concerns from the Irish Heart Foundation that teen smoking rates are increasing for the first time in ten years due to an ‘explosion’ of vaping among this age cohort.” 

“Research from the Health Research Board has found that teenagers who vape are up to five times more likely to take up smoking citing the gateway effect. We welcome the opportunity to discuss these and other related matters with representatives.”

Proceedings can be watched live here and on the the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.