1418. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the timeline for pre-legislative scrutiny, the drafting, publication and introduction of the proposed nicotine inhaling products Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29595/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: Cabinet approval was given on 10 September 2024 to proposals for a Bill to further regulate nicotine inhaling products, including a ban on disposable vapes. Those proposals are now being drafted with the Office of the Attorney General. The necessity for pre-legislative scrutiny was waived by the Joint Committee on Health on 25 September 2024.

Once completed, the draft legislation will require notification at EU level for assessment under the Technical Standards Directive (Directive 2015/1535) and the Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU). At this stage in the legislative process, a timeline for the introduction of the measures in the Bill cannot be given.

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Dáil Éireann debate. Question 1490 – Tobacco Control Measures [29901/25]

1490. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on long awaited legislation to ban flavoured nicotine inhaling devices and restrict the packaging design and advertising of nicotine inhaling devices. [29901/25]

1491. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the planned ban on disposable nicotine inhaling devices. [29902/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1490 and 1491 together.

The primary focus of policy and action in relation to e-cigarettes is to reduce uptake by children and young people.

The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 introduced robust measures, including the prohibition of the sale of vapes to persons under the age of 18, restrictions on advertising near schools and in children's media environments.

In addition, cabinet approval was given on 10 September to proposals for the further regulation of nicotine inhaling products. These proposals are now being drafted with the Office of the Attorney General. The General Scheme for a Bill contains a range of proposals to reduce youth use of nicotine inhaling products such as vapes including:

• a ban on disposable vapes.
• a ban on point-of-sale display and advertising of these products in most shops.
• restrictions on the colours and imagery used on nicotine inhaling products and their packaging.
• a ban on devices resembling toys or games.
• restrictions on flavours.

Once completed, the draft legislation will require notification at EU level under the Technical Standards Directive (Directive 2015/1535).

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Dáil Éireann debate. Question 1444 – Departmental policies [29680/25]

1444. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health her views on the UK's decision to ban selling or supplying disposable vapes; the measures being taken to address increased use of disposable vapes in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29680/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: I remain committed to safeguarding young people from the risks associated with nicotine inhaling products known as vapes.

The proposed measures in the Public Health (Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill take into consideration the population-level impact of vaping and the need for a high level of health protection for young people. The proposals include a review structure to monitor the impact of any restrictions on e-cigarette use and smoking among both young people and adults, as well as provisions to amend the list of allowed flavours as new evidence presents.

The Bill will contain a range of measures to reduce youth use of nicotine inhaling products such as vapes. This includes:

• a ban on disposable vapes.
• a ban on point-of-sale display and advertising of these products in most shops.
• restrictions on the colours and imagery used on nicotine inhaling products and their packaging.
• a ban on devices resembling toys or games.
• restrictions on flavours for sale and requirements for only basic flavour names to be used.

Once completed, the draft legislation will require notification at EU level under the Technical Standards Directive (Directive 2015/1535).