Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2019
426. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he and his officials have discussed the option of removing the definition to vaping on the HSE website in view of the fact that it may be encouraging persons to take it up (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43569/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe definition of vaping on the website of the Health Service Executive is factual and correct. The website page which contains this definition relates to quitting cigarettes and states the following underneath the definition:
E-cigarettes are still fairly new, so we don't yet know how safe they are or if they help people stop smoking. Because of this, we don't recommend e-cigarettes to help you quit smoking.
I will very shortly bring a Memorandum to the Government to seek permission to draft law on tobacco control measures including specific measures on e-cigarettes. These specific measures are: to introduce a licensing system for the sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products such as e-cigarettes, to prohibit the sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products by those under 18 years and, most importantly,to prohibit the sale of nicotine inhaling products to persons under 18 years.
I would welcome the Deputy's support for these and the other proposed and very important tobacco control measures which I intend to bring forward.
