Electronic Cigarettes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2018

Thursday, 8 February 2018

Ceisteanna (195)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

195. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health his views on e-cigarettes; his plans to place a ban on e-cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6518/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Electronic cigarettes are regulated by the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016. These Regulations transposed the European Tobacco Products Directive and came into effect on 20 May 2016.

The introduction of the workplace smoking ban was based on clear and unequivocal evidence that second hand smoke is harmful to non-smokers. That evidence base does not exist for the aerosol generated from e-cigarettes. However, individual organisations/companies are free to introduce an e-cigarette free policy if they so choose.

My Department will continue to monitor the emerging research on these products, so as to inform decisions around any future additional regulation in this area.