Niamh Smyth
Ceist:481. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence (details supplied) regarding disposable vapes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43562/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 October 2023
Ceisteanna (481)
Freagraí scríofa
My current legislative priority is the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill, which will prohibit the sale of all nicotine inhaling products to children and introduce a requirement for a licence for their sale. The Bill completed Second Stage on 15 June 2023 and is next at Committee Stage on 12 October 2023. It is expected to be enacted in this legislative session.
My colleague Ossian Smyth, Minister of State in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, recently held a public consultation on disposable vaping devices to examine what action should be taken, from an environmental perspective, as disposable vaping devices present several environmental challenges. The options being considered include introducing legislation to ban the manufacture, sale, distribution, or free offer of disposable vaping devices. I await the results of this consultation with interest.
Regarding the concerns raised relating to educating children on the dangers on vaping through the SPHE modules, I have referred this part of the query to the HSE for answer.