1848 Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to larger disposable nicotine vaping devices that are becoming increasingly prevalent (details supplied); if she believes that these devices will be covered under the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19269/26]

1849 Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the actions she has taken to ensure that the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 will be future proofed against developments in technology and attempts to find loopholes that would allow the sale of disposable nicotine vaping in other forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19270/26]

1850 Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any research carried out in relation to international comparisons in relation to larger disposable nicotine vaping devices that are becoming increasingly prevalent (details supplied); the lessons that can be learned from countries that have already implemented a ban on single use vaping products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19271/26]

1851 Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any research into the increasing prevalence of larger disposable nicotine vaping devices that are becoming increasingly prevalent (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19272/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1848, 1849, 1850 and 1851 together.

The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill which recently completed its passage through Dáil Eireann will apply to any vape that is single-use including those referred to by the Deputy if they are single use. A vape will avoid the prohibition only if it is refillable and rechargeable by the user in the normal course of use. The development of this legislation included consultation with France, Belgium and the UK to learn from their experience of the implementation of a similar ban.

The type of product referred to by the Deputy are already regulated under the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 in relation to requirements such as age of sale, licensing, restrictions on sales outlets and advertising. In addition, the 2016 Regulations transposing the EU Tobacco Products Directive regulates tank, pod and refill container size for such products.

EU-wide regulation is more effective than individual Member States taking action as it ensures that measures cannot be avoided through cross-border purchases. In that context Ireland has called for the publication of the revised Tobacco Products Directive as soon as possible in order to address a continually evolving market.

I understand that there is a campaign by representatives of tobacco manufacturers on this issue. It is important that Ireland's obligation under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to protect our tobacco control policy from the interests of that industry continue to be upheld.