699. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the regulations that are in place for vaping products; if there is any intention of further regulating these products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15030/23] 

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: Electronic cigarettes are currently regulated under the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 271/2016). These Regulations transpose the EU Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU).The Regulations require health warnings on packaging which advise consumers that e-cigarettes contain nicotine which is a highly addictive substance. The Regulations also provide for mandatory safety and quality requirements for e-cigarettes and refill containers, including maximum nicotine concentrations for e-cigarettes containing nicotine, and maximum volumes for cartridges, tanks and nicotine liquid containers. Under the regulations e-cigarette manufacturers or importers are required to notify the Health Service Executive of all products that they place on the market and, if a manufacturer, importer or distributor has a reason to believe that a product is not safe, they are required to immediately notify the Health Service Executive and to explain what corrective action has been taken. 

The Directive is currently being reviewed and this is likely to lead to increased regulation of e-cigarettes. 

Further regulation of e-cigarettes is planned in national law via the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill, which is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General. The Bill contains measures which will prohibit the sale of nicotine products by or to anyone under the age of 18 and introduce a new licensing system for their retail sale. 

In addition, the Bill will prohibit the sale of nicotine inhaling products from self-service vending machines, temporary or mobile premises and at events for children. Advertisements for nicotine inhaling products will be prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and near schools.