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1144. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether Ireland intends to use its Presidency of the Council of the European Union to advocate for the inclusion of provisions within any revised tobacco products directive that would permit member states to introduce generational tobacco sales restrictions, similar to those enacted in the United Kingdom under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2025; wh…

85. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department have examined the impacts of the excise duty placed on e-liquids in November, are concerned by reports of black-market sales of e-liquids; whether it conflicts with goals to dissuade single-use vapes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31461/26]

218. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health her plans to ban vapes from public premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28862/26]

449. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the extent of criminal and organised gang activity identified in connection with cigarette tobacco and illegal vape smuggling through Irish ports and airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28735/26]

330. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether nicotine inhaling products (vapes) or nicotine pouches are affected by any of the provisions of the WHO FCTC Article 5.3; whether companies and individuals that do not have ties to the tobacco industry are entitled to seek to engage with members of the Oireachtas and with officials in Government Departments; and if she will ma…

2775. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE has conducted research into restricting the sale of vaping products to pharmacies only, similar to measures introduced in Australia; if so, if she will publish or share this research; and the policy considerations currently under review in this area. [24148/26]

3180. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if guidance on e-cigarettes and regulated vaping products as a smoking cessation tool is currently being reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26339/26]

3181. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to formally incorporating adult harm reduction strategies, including the use of regulated vaping products, into Ireland’s national strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26340/26]

3182. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the relative risk profile of vaping compared to combustible tobacco; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26341/26]

3193. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address issues in regard to vaping (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26416/26]

3194. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address issues in regard to vaping (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26417/26]

1837. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if her Department has conducted an assessment of reports from the UK regarding loopholes in the law there which allow for the modifying of disposable devices by adding non-operational charging ports, or including token removable or refillable pods, and their marketing as "reusable"; and if measures will be introduced to avoid similar loopholes…

1851. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any research into the increasing prevalence of larger disposable nicotine vaping devices that are becoming increasingly prevalent (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19272/26]

581. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health following on from the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, her plans to deal with the sale and advertising of nicotine pouches targeted at minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18107/26]

874. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health for an update on the proposed licensing system for retailers selling vaping products and cigarettes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16667/26]

943. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether the Government has examined the feasibility of introducing in Ireland a "generational smoking ban" (that is a permanent prohibition on the sale of tobacco products to persons born on or after a specified year), similar to that proposed in the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024-2025; whether she considers such a measure will be legally and co…

1036. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the funding which has been provided to establish the vaping and nicotine use prevention campaign; if annual funding will be made available to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14794/26]

1037. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the plans her Department has to establish a stop vaping service, modelled on the successful QUITLINE service, to support individuals quit e-cigarettes and other novel nicotine products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14795/26]

1065. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding vaping; her plans to address this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7820/26]

282. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated environmental impact of disposable vape products, particularly plastic waste; whether a ban or strict regulation is being considered as part of Ireland’s climate and waste reduction commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5400/26]

550. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health her views on whether the marketing, packaging and prominent retail display of vapes and snuff products are designed to attract children and young people; if she will introduce legislation requiring these products to be kept out of sight in retail outlets, similar to tobacco products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5396/2…

978. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health if legislation is planned to ban the practice of vaping from public gathering places in the same way as the actual smoking ban; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4019/26]

520. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the research and expert involvement in the drafting process of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2963/26]

183. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if practical guidance on the operation of the retail licensing system for the sale of tobacco and vaping products will issue to retailers ahead of the February 2026 introduction date. [2743/26]

2028. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if legislation is planned to ban the practice called vaping from public gathering places such as pubs, restaurants, shops, offices and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2318/26]

I am delighted to debate the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026. I firmly believe this legislation has the potential to have a transformative impact on our younger people, much like when An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, led the way in introducing the smoking ban in the early noughties. This is regarded to this day as one of the most significant and e…

We largely support this Bill. For far too long, vaping products have been on display at shop counters, on streets and even on stand-alone stands in shopping centres, very clearly targeting teenagers and young people. It is very welcome that this Bill closes the loophole that allows the sale of nicotine pouches to under-18s, and it regulates the advertising of nicotine products in retail outlets, s…

I welcome this Bill. I have been critical of the Government in lots of areas but I have to say that this legislation is a positive further step in protecting the health of all our citizens but especially our children. It would be remiss of me not to be a bit critical and say that I am not sure if it is enough in itself because we are dealing with what I would call a subversive and well-resourced i…

I think everyone in here wants to see a reduction in the number of people actually smoking. I do not think anyone is against that. Do we know, individually, the point of view of people who have used vapes? I get that the jury is out but I refer to some element of harm reduction and the point of view of them getting themselves off it. That has to be facilitated. We should be absolutely united in en…

I welcome the announcement of the second vaping Bill, in particular the piece around prohibiting the sale of nicotine-consumption products such as pouches to under-18s and the piece around advertising. It is targeted at children. The bubblegum flavours and advertising target children in an aggressive way. I support limiting the flavours as well. As I said earlier, I was talking to some teenagers …

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2026 (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Consideration of Estimates by Committees (without debate) - Ráitis maidir leis an Ghaeilge chun Seachtain na Gaeilge a chomóradh (not to exceed 2 hours…

Yesterday evening I spoke about the macro situation and how the Fiscal Advisory Council had urged a cooling down, because the corporation tax receipts were not going to last forever and that this budget, in one sense because it came after a giveaway election budget, had shades of 2007. Now I want to move on to some of the specific measures in the budget. During the votes last night I got to talk a…

On Financial Resolution No. 1, it has got to the point where these increases in the cost of cigarettes are now just vindictive rather than serving any purpose. It certainly does not serve any health purpose. We know that for a number of years, there were substantial reductions in the number of smokers. That has begun to turn around despite the fact that over the past number of years, the price of …

Our young people have to be given the best opportunity we can offer them. Although we cannot dictate to or lecture them, we can, of course, introduce legislation that will protect them and help them make positive decisions on their health and well-being. It would be hypocritical of me to stand up here and lecture anybody - I was that smoker; I was that vaper - but we must not bury our heads in the…

I welcome the Government’s proposals to protect young people from the harms of vaping and nicotine addiction. As the party that delivered the first workplace smoking ban in the world, Fianna Fáil knows that smart, proportionate regulation saves lives. We have already raised the age of sale to 18 and tightened advertising near schools, on public transport and in cinemas. Now we must go further beca…

I put on record my support for the smoking ban. Ireland showed its mettle in terms of being ahead of the pack and dealing with smoking in a really serious way about 20 years ago. I have friends who gave up smoking the day the smoking ban came in and they have stayed off cigarettes ever since. It has undoubtedly saved lives and I pay tribute to the Ministers for Health who have contributed to attac…

We have a duty and a moral obligation to protect the long-term health of our young people. Right now, too many children and teenagers are being targeted in the context of, hooked on and harmed by vaping. Let us be clear; nicotine is addictive. The long-terms health effects of these products are still unknown, and yet an entire generation is being lured in by colourful packaging, candy-flavoured li…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Presentation and Circulation of Further Revised Estimates 2025 [Votes 29, 33 and 34] and Third Further Revised Estimate 2025 [Vote 24] (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Approval of Appointment of Members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (without debate) - Statements on School Transport (not t…

I want to voice my objection to the process here. It is poor form. We had it repeated last week, and again this week, in terms of the Government taking Committee Stage of legislation in the Dáil as opposed to at committee. As Chair of the health committee, I received a letter essentially telling me that my committee was too busy to even consider this issue, without any real engagement with the com…

I support the intent behind Deputy Rice's amendment. We have seen in the sale of alcohol, for example, where the industry has tried to get around changes which were brought in in relation to the display of alcohol in supermarkets and shops. The industry, whether the tobacco industry, the vaping industry or the alcohol industry, will always be looking for ways to get around legislation that we brin…

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this amendment. I remember, maybe 55 years ago, that smoking was a very cool thing to do at the time. We had a small shop in Ballymote where you could buy cigarettes individually for 3p, three old pennies, at the time. Thank God I got off cigarettes - I was lucky - but I see a lot of people using vapes now. When I smoked we did not realise the damage c…

If the Minister of State is telling me the definition is the same as the one in the UK, then I am even more concerned. Reports from the UK indicate they are getting around the definition there. We have been hearing this from the vaping lobbying, Responsible Vaping Ireland. It is saying that in the UK, where a ban on single-use vapes has already been introduced, there are reports that some unscrupu…

I thank the Deputy and I understand where he is coming from to a degree, but the requirement for a licence to sell tobacco and nicotine inhaling products was enacted in December 2023 and it came into effect earlier this month. It follows on from a recommendation for a national tobacco control policy from Tobacco Free Ireland and it is designed to give an enforcement authority to the HSE's national…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Appointment of Chairperson of Standards in Public Office Commission (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Seventh Report of the Standing Committee of Selection (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 (Referral to Committee) (without deb…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Appointment of Ordinary Member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 (Second Stage, resumed) (to adjourn after 2 hours and 4 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Mercosur Trade Agreement, selected by …

Looking at this Bill, the four pillars of it are a new tax, a full ban, 40 new enforcement posts, and an annual cost of new inspection powers. I would have preferred the Bill to go into more detail about the power of the inspection, what we are expecting from that and the costs surrounding it, but I am sure it will be fleshed out later. I am sure the Minister of State will address it as time goes …

I am delighted to announce further investment in budget 2026 for the national drugs strategy and health and well-being. The total allocation for drugs and inclusion health has increased to €289 million. This is an increase of €11 million in non-pay related measures. I am determined that people throughout the country will access timely quality care. I am committed to the continued expansion of drug…

My colleagues will talk about the wider issue of vapes. I will take this opportunity to talk about another product that in a very similar vein is causing huge problems for teenagers, namely, nicotine pouches. I do not know whether the Minister of State is familiar with them. They are small white pouches you can buy in any corner shop. You put them on your gum, underneath your lip, and they directl…

I welcome that the Minister of State is here to take this debate. However, why are we having statements on this issue and not a debate on the legislation? During my time in the Seanad when we debated the legislation on the prohibition of sales to under-18s, there was promise at that time that we would move on legislation to deal with the issue of flavoured nicotine-inhaling products and that we wo…

On 10 September 2024, the Cabinet in the previous Government agreed to a Bill that would provide for further regulation of nicotine inhaling products, particularly with regard to a ban on disposable vapes and restrictions on advertising, colours, flavours and imagery used on nicotine inhaling products. It is also in the programme for Government. This is a public health emergency. It has been an ac…