145. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of the public consultation on disposable e-cigarettes; if a timeline has been developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3743/24]

Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications: In June 2023, I launched a public consultation to help inform Ireland’s environmental response to disposable vaping devices. Disposable vaping devices present several challenges to our current waste collection and recycling system, and they can and should be recycled in a responsible manner. The public consultation closed on 11 August 2023. and a summary of responses was published in October 2023 at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/consultation/826a1-public-consultation-on-disposable-vaping-devices/.

Over 3,000 submissions were made by individuals and organisations, including retailers, and around 85% of respondents supported the banning of disposable vaping devices.

In addition to a potential ban on disposable vapes, other policy options include:

• Establish a deposit and return system for the devices.
• Enhance the producer responsibility scheme to ensure that all producers placing disposable vaping devices on the market are registered with the Producer Register Limited and complying fully in producer responsibility.
• Increase public awareness around the return of devices for responsible recycling.

On 25 November 2023, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drug Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton, launched a public consultation to help inform future regulation of tobacco and nicotine inhaling products such as e-cigarettes or “vapes”.  The public consultation closed on 5 January 2024. 

I continue to engage with stakeholders regarding the most appropriate course of action to address these devices, and the need for a consistent approach across government departments, regarding this issue.