Search the Dáil record

299. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline, in the context of pending legislation concerning the regulation of the vaping industry, the reason his Department has not insisted on a tax stamp for vaping products similar to tobacco products, as is the case in some EU Member States; his views on international best practice; the estimated revenue in the context of a full …

685. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given by her Department for the inclusion of vape devices (details supplied) in the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023, in view that although the devices are marketed as rechargeable and replaceable because of supplementary pods they remain fundamentally environmentally wasteful; ar…

916. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if she has considered the impact the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2024 will have on speciality vape shops, which will be forced to close if all vape flavours are banned; if she has quantified the burden that the point-of-sale display ban for vapes will have on small retailers; and if she will make a statement on…

1177. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if she has considered the potential impact of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2024 on specialty vape shops from a ban on vape flavours; if she has quantified the potential burden that the point-of-sale display ban for vapes will have on small retailers, including in the forecourt and convenience sector; and if…

186. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether he agrees that the introduction of a tax stamp system for vaping products could assist in the enforcement of the e-liquid products tax and in tackling the illicit vape market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52765/26]

188. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the measures currently being undertaken by the Revenue Commissioners to identify and tackle non-compliant operators selling vaping products, including non-traditional retail outlets, such as phone shops, whose primary activity is not the sale of vaping products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52767/26]

895. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to ensure that vape shops do not specifically target children or young people in the sale of their products as at present some shops are using bright colours and words such as “candy” next to the word “vape” in their shop names, signage and advertisements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49532/26]

2094. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections carried out by the Environment Health Services on vape shops and retailers selling vaping products in 2025 and to-date in 2026; and the number of compliance notices or enforcement actions that resulted. [42639/26]

723. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections carried out by the Environmental Health Service on vape shops and retailers selling vaping products in 2024, in 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of compliance notices or enforcement actions that resulted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41304/26]

434. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to clarify the way the proposed legislation on vaping, from a proposed tax purpose, addresses the environmental impact of disposable vapes; and the steps being taken to ensure that responsible adult users of refillable devices are not unfairly impacted. [38748/26]

1109. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to clarify the way the proposed legislation on vaping, from a proposed tax purpose, addresses the environmental impact of disposable vapes; and the steps being taken to ensure that responsible adult users of refillable devices are not unfairly impacted. [38751/26]

133. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the actions she has taken to ensure that the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 will be future proofed against developments in technology and attempts to find loopholes that would allow the sale of disposable nicotine vaping in other forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27964/26]

448. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether the Revenue Commissioners separately tracks illegal vape seizures; if so, the total volume and estimated value of illegal vapes seizure at Irish ports and airports to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28733/26]

1848. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to larger disposable nicotine vaping devices that are becoming increasingly prevalent (details supplied); if she believes that these devices will be covered under the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19269/26]

1849. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the actions she has taken to ensure that the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 will be future proofed against developments in technology and attempts to find loopholes that would allow the sale of disposable nicotine vaping in other forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19270/26]

1850. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any research carried out in relation to international comparisons in relation to larger disposable nicotine vaping devices that are becoming increasingly prevalent (details supplied); the lessons that can be learned from countries that have already implemented a ban on single use vaping products; and if she will make a st…

26. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to larger disposable nicotine vaping devices, which can deliver up to 25,000 puffs of nicotine vapor that are becoming increasingly prevalent; her views on whether these devices will be covered under the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. …

71. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any research carried out in relation to international comparisons when drafting the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, and in particular the United Kingdom with regards to their issues in banning larger disposable nicotine vaping devices which can deliver up to 25,000 puffs of nicotine vapor; and if she will make a…

997. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health to consider introducing a ban on single use vapes in indoor public spaces, to coincide with proposed changes to the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4162/26]

518. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to larger disposable nicotine vaping devices that are becoming increasingly prevalent (details supplied); if she believes that these devices will be covered under the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2961/26]

519. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the actions she has taken to ensure that the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 will be future proofed against developments in technology and attempts to find loopholes that would allow the sale of disposable nicotine vaping in other forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2962/26]

521. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the experience of the UK Government in relation to their ban on disposable nicotine vapes in June 2025; specifically in reference to the continued legality of larger disposable devices (details supplied); if she is conscious of the need to include these devices in the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025;…

522. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any research carried out in relation to international comparisons when drafting the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; the lessons that can be learned from countries that have already implemented a ban on single use vaping products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2965/26]

176. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections of vape shops and other retail outlets which sell vaping products in each year 2021 to 2025, by type of premises inspected, in tabular form. [2718/26]

351. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if non-specialist tobacco and vape retailers, such as barbers and phone shops, will be allowed to continue to sell vaping and tobacco products under the Department's proposed retail licensing system; and to outline the specific criteria for a retailer to obtain a licence under the new system. [66654/25]

The Social Democrats welcome this long-overdue legislation to ban single-use vapes. However, I do have some outstanding concerns about the Government's plans. The first relates to the Minister's piecemeal approach to regulating vapes. We are still waiting for legislation on packaging, advertising, flavours and other products such as nicotine pouches. Second, I have real concerns about the strength…

I welcome this long overdue legislation to further regulate vapes and to finally regulate nicotine pouches. As has repeatedly been the case with these new nicotine pouches, regulation arrives too late. The use of vapes and nicotine pouches has surged with a new generation increasingly dependent on nicotine. The Minister of Health and her predecessors have not shown the level of urgency required w…

The Labour Party welcomes and supports this Bill to ban single-use vapes. We also want to make it clear that this is one small part of an overall jigsaw that is required in a public health and environmental response to vaping. There has been an explosion in the number of people vaping over the past decade. There are figures reporting 7% of adults and 16% of 15- to 16-year-olds are currently vapin…

I am pleased to address the House as Minister of State with special responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy. I will talk about vaping and the use of other nicotine products by our young people and what the Government is doing about this public health challenge. Every day, I hear from parents, teachers and coaches who worry about how many of our children are vap…

It is a great start to the new year for me to be here in the Chamber addressing an Aire Stáit, another strong female TD from Carlow. Go raibh maith agat. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, for the work she is doing for the young people in Carlow and Kilkenny. Thank you once again. Speaking as a parent first and foremost I am alarmed at the increase in the sale of vaping pro…

It is very strange that the majority of us here seem to be from Carlow and Kilkenny. The Labour Party and I welcome the general thrust of what the Minister of State is trying to do with this Bill. I stand here as someone who has struggled an awful lot with nicotine addiction. It is something that personally I have found very hard to overcome for a number of years. I have been on again and off agai…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to be here to introduce the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill to this House. This is a short Bill with a single purpose. That purpose is to ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes or vapes. Like all public representatives, I regularly hear from parents, teachers and coaches who are concerned about the impact that vapes…

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber to present this important legislation. I welcome this valuable Bill although, as I will speak to in a moment, the scope of it is far too narrow. I would like to put a few questions to the Minister of State on that and she might be able to address them in her wrap-up. As a starting point, we cannot be in any doubt that when we consider the pr…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on vapes again. I spoke about it in September and said vapes are the bane of many parents and their children. I have been contacted since then, and was contacted prior to that, about how vapes cause so many arguments in families. As parents, we thought children do not smoke anymore and young people do not smoke but now we have vapes. When I was sitting here I won…

First, I thank everyone for the points that have been raised and for this important debate. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and I are very much aware of the issues of bringing the legislation before the House. Some TDs said we are not moving quickly enough in respect of it, but we are. It is a priority. I assure Members of that. We all want our children to have the best start in life, and …

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Public Health, Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products (Amendment) Bill 2026. This is an important Bill, which is broad in scope and long overdue. For too long, policy in this area has been reactive. New products emerge, marketing tactics change and the law has lagged behind. This Bill marks an important change in approach from the Government, whic…

This Bill represents a piecemeal approach from this Government. It is the third Bill in three years, with another one on the way. That tells its own story. Instead of this Government using forward thinking and having a modern, comprehensive approach, we are left reacting, catching up and legislating bit by bit. Sinn Féin has sought a ban on single-use vapes for years. They are highly wasteful and …

I support the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 because it addresses a regulatory gap that now carries real, not abstract, consequences for health, the environment and the coherence of our public health and environmental policy. Disposable vapes occupy a peculiar position in our regulatory framework. They are legal and widely available, yet they combine elements we would rarely tolerate t…

When I was in college in Maynooth, a while ago now, I started smoking. I was 19 and playing hurling for Kildare and the university but fell into a bad habit and it took me a long time to quit smoking - about 12 years. I was on and off but managed to quit cold turkey and then eventually found a vape on a night out and become dependent on vapes in social settings and then in normal day-to-day settin…

I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 and the Minister of State’s comments on tackling what has become a serious public health and environmental issue. The Minister of State will know that I have raised in the House previously concerns in regard to the rapid growth of single-use vapes, particularly their impact on younger people. These prod…

I am a reformed smoker - I have not smoked a cigarette in 30 years. Then came in the smoking ban, which was targeted at adults. I do not agree with these one-off vapes but if one is an adult, one should have the common sense to know whether to use a vape. Personally, I would nearly prefer to see somebody smoke a cigarette than what is inside those vapes because their contents are unknown, as are t…

I am extremely frustrated that we are here on the cusp of October making statements in the Dáil when the election was last November. It is outrageous that the Government has not got its act together to produce a number of Bills over the summer. Even the Minister of State’s party colleague is taking her to task on this issue. We are talking about this important health issue for young people but no …

The single-use, flashy and flavoured disposable vapes that are targeting our children definitely need to be banned. However, the Government Bill only targets products which are being phased out anyway. Sinn Féin has been raising this issue for years. Ireland is years behind the curve in comparison with many countries. Vapes and nicotine pouches in particular pose a very serious health risk to chi…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to be here today to introduce the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill to the House. The purpose of the Bill is to reduce the appeal and accessibility of e-cigarettes, vapes and other nicotine products such as pouches to young people. This Bill and the single-use vapes Bill together with …

The Labour Party welcomes this Bill but part of me wonders how it has taken long. This Government has moved at a snail's pace on the regulation of vaping and nicotine inhaling products. When we look at what this Bill is trying to do, the Labour Party agrees with most sections. However, we have concerns with the pace at which the Government has moved and the comprehensiveness of this Bill. The rea…

I thank everyone who spoke today in the Chamber. We can see the passion on this and the urgency of the Bill. A lot of issues were raised. I only have ten minutes. The issue of flavours was the big thing. As for why we are banning all flavours except tobacco, this is what is most likely to reduce the appeal to our younger people. Today is about children and young people. In balancing this protecti…

Like my colleague, I am a former smoker but I am a vaper. That being said, the Bill has a somewhat piecemeal approach to vaping. We need a comprehensive public health response to vaping and nicotine. This is the third Bill on smoking in the past three years and there is at least another one on the way. Sinn Féin fully supports a ban on single-use vapes. We sought a similar ban for a number of year…

I was trying to give Deputy Cummins a nod there. This is the third vaping Bill we have discussed. Another is on the way. This piecemeal approach is not working. A comprehensive Bill that encapsulates everything the Minister of State is looking to do in one Bill would have gone through the Houses much more quickly. While we are waiting for these Bills to be passed, our communities are suffering. …

I also broadly welcome this Bill, incremental as it may be. This legislation is a long-overdue partial measure responding to a significant public health concern, especially for our younger people. The Irish and international research has been sounding the alarm for several years. We have had multiple debates about this. The initial measure to clampdown on the underage sales had some impact. It wa…

I also welcome the tightening of the legislation but we do need to see it. We need to see it implemented. Everybody has a concern about vaping, particularly among young people. Adults have a choice and free will, and if their vaping is part of smoking cessation I absolutely welcome it and believe it to be important; however, as we have already heard, the manner in which vapes are marketed and sold…