The sale of e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18 will be illegal in Ireland before Christmas.
That’s according to Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, who has today welcomed the completion of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill in both Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Bill will now be sent to Uachtarán na hÉireann to be signed into law.
Minister Donnelly has asked officials in his Department work speedily so that the ban on the sale of nicotine inhaling products, including e-cigarettes or ‘vapes’ to under-18s will come into law before Christmas.
Speaking today, The Minister for Health said:
“I am delighted that this Bill has passed all stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas. It will now go to the President for signing and we are on track to ensure that our ban on the sale of nicotine inhaling products, including e-cigarettes, to minors will be in place before Christmas.
“Our public consultation on the further regulation of e-cigarettes was launched on 25 November 2023. We are seeking views on a point-of-sale ban, on packaging, on flavours and other interventions to decrease the appeal of e-cigarettes for our children.
“I look forward to the results of the consultation and to taking further action to protect the health of our children.”
Along with prohibiting the sale of nicotine inhaling products to under 18s the current Bill will:
- Prohibit the sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products at events for children;
- Prohibit the self-service sale (vending machines) of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products;
- Introduce a strict licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products;
- Prohibit the advertising of nicotine inhaling products around schools and on public transport;
- Provide additional enforcement powers to the Environmental Health Service for measures in the Bill and for all previous Tobacco Control Acts
