Questions

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 in the context of t…

1838. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the rationale for distinguishing between nicotine inhaling and nicotine-consumption products in the proposed Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026; and the implications of any differentiation in terms of regulatory approaches. [19208/26]

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 statement on the matte…

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]

948. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the current methods of payment for the tobacco and nicotine inhaling products licence; if the introduction of any additional payment methods for retailers are currently being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17074/26]

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 constitutionally permi…

1035. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided for tobacco cessation services from 2015 to 2025, and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14793/26]

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]

175. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of premises inspected pursuant to the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002, as amended, and under S.I. No. 271/2016, in each year since commencement, by type of premises inspected, in tabular form. [2717/26]

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]

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]

116. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Health if she will consider including restrictions on nicotine pouch products in the public health (nicotine inhaling products) Bill when presented; the current regulations in place to ensure harmful and unregulated ingredients are not used in these pouches; and if she will consider proposing legislation which will prevent the free distribution of all nicotine product…

561. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health her plans to regulate the sale of nicotine products for oral consumption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64167/25]

658. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health her plans to introduce regulations on the sale and use of nicotine pouches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65062/25]

1638. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health for an update on the background to the current vaping legislation and her plans for the future in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57825/25]

1639. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if she has considered any data on the way in which vaping is an effective gateway out of smoking and maintaining a lifestyle without nicotine and tar (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57826/25]

874. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if she is concerned that the recent increase in tax for vaping products coming into effect as of 1 November 2025 could have a knock-on increase in the number of cigarette smokers; the actions she will take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55116/25]

579. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Health if legislation is being considered, similar to that set to be introduced in the UK, that will create a smoke-free generation by banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53039/25]

858. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of legislation regarding the future of vaping, particularly with regard to rules introduced in neighbouring jurisdictions and in the North of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51374/25]

3066. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if she will ban flavoured vapes, limit nicotine concentration levels and introduce plain packaging and mandatory health warnings on packaging of vapes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43067/25]

3067. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the number of people hospitalised, per hospital, due to vaping related illnesses or injuries in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43068/25]