336. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the timeline for implementing the proposed ban on disposable vapes; to clarify whether there are plans to regulate or restrict the sale of high-nicotine pouches and synthetic cannabinoid products such as HHC vapes and gummies, particularly in light of their increasing availability to minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38401/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: My current legislative priority is the comprehensive regulation of nicotine inhaling products addressing point of sale display, the appearance of these devices, packaging, flavours and a ban on disposable vapes. These proposals are now being drafted with the Office of the Attorney General. Once drafting is completed, the draft measure will require notification at EU level under the Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU) as it entails the banning of a product.

Ireland is one of several EU countries that are moving ahead with domestic legislation on these products in the absence of EU-wide regulation which would be more effective, as it would ensure that the measures could not be avoided through cross-border purchases. A revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive has been long awaited. I have, on behalf of Ireland and several other Member States, recently called on the European Commission to bring forward the revised Tobacco Products Directive as soon as possible. I have called for that proposal to include all novel nicotine products such as pouches, and for this measure to include a ban on cross-border distance sales to avoid the circumvention of any national measures.

Finally, it is the intention of the Government to subject Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) to control measures under the Misuse of Drugs legislation as a Schedule 1 controlled drug. This is the strictest level of control where possession and/or sale or supply of the substance is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 2017. It is expected that this legislation will be brought to Government very shortly.