296. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his plans for regulations governing cigarette and packaged tobacco vending machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19235/15]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): In June 2014, the Government approved the drafting of legislation to provide for measures in relation to the sale of all tobacco products and non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes. The legislation includes a proposal to prohibit the sale of all tobacco products from self-service vending machines. My Department has conducted a public consultation on this legislation, the results of which will inform the Regulatory Impact Analysis and the General Scheme of a Bill. It is expected that the General Scheme will be published during 2015.