A Bill to ban the sale of single-use vapes has been introduced to the Dáil, with TDs warning of the environmental damage caused by the disposable devices.
The first stage of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill was introduced on Tuesday by Minister of State at the Department Health Jennifer Murnane O’Connor on behalf of Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. Disposable vapes could seen be banned under the law, and comes just weeks after Ireland introduced a tax on e-liquid products in November.
The vape tax announced in the Budget came into effect on November 1, levying a 50 cent per ml excise duty (plus 23% VAT) on all e-liquids.
The Fianna Fáil TD told the chamber that the rate of children using vapes has increased, with their impact on children’s health now a huge concern.
“Like all public representatives, I regularly hear from parents, teachers and coaches who are concerned about the impact that vapes and nicotine use are having on children’s health. The sight of discarded vapes littering our towns and villages is also a huge problem,” Murnane O’Connor said.
“Ireland has a long and proud history of tackling the public health issues caused by tobacco, dating back to our world-famous indoor smoking ban, and this Bill will continue that tradition. The Bill will remove these lower priced products from shops, which is important in making vapes less attractive and available to children.
“This measure will also address the environmental issues caused by the disposal of these products. The main health risk of vapes for our children is that the use of nicotine may become an addiction, which could lead to tobacco smoking and the many health harms that causes.
“For our young people, these products do nothing more than deliver nicotine, an addictive drug. In 2020 our Health Research Board found that adolescents who vape are more likely to smoke. Some 5% of our children smoke tobacco. Our goal is that that figure should be zero. This Bill is one of a whole suite of measures to address youth use of nicotine products.”
A number of TDs spoke on the availability of attractive flavours like bubblegum, marshmallow and cola being a concern, as well as pricing, ease of use and the attractive design all appealing to young people. Under the Bill, available flavours would be restricted, as well as colours and imagery on packaging.
Responsible Vaping Ireland (RVI) urged TDs to fully scrutinise the Public Health Bill. The group, which represents more than 3,300 independent vape retailers, stressed that meaningful consultation with retailers and enforcement authorities is essential to ensure the ban meets its public health and environmental goals without unintended consequences.
The organisation has warned of possible loopholes. It said that the UK’s experience with a similar ban which was imposed there in June allowed some disposable products to be reclassified as reusable, undermining the intent of the law. It added that vaping remains an “important harm reduction tool” for adult smokers aiming to quit smoking, and said that flavours help adults stay off cigarettes.