95. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he is taking any steps to ban disposable vapes as they are increasingly becoming an environmental hazard in terms of waste and production of single-use plastics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57093/23]

Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications: Disposable vaping devices are electronic cigarettes that are not rechargeable. They present several challenges to our current waste collection and recycling system and progress towards a circular economy, particularly where lithium-ion batteries are present, and because the use of critical raw materials and plastic in a disposable product is wasteful.

On 1 June 2023 a public consultation was launched to help inform Ireland’s environmental response to disposable vaping devices. My Department received 3,243 submissions. Findings of note include that 91% of respondents agreed that single use vaping devices are an environmental concern, and 85% of respondents support the banning of disposable vaping devices.  I am now assessing the statutory options available to me to give best effect to these findings.

I also welcome the introduction of the the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 which prohibits the sale of nicotine inhaling products to under-18s and the public consultation on the further regulation of e-cigarettes launched by the Minister for Health on 25 November 2023.  That consultation seeks the views on issues such as a point-of-sale ban, packaging, flavours and other interventions to decrease the appeal of e-cigarettes for children. I look forward to working with the Minister for Health to ensure we take an all-of-Government approach to the issue of vaping.