133. 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. [27964/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill will apply to any vape that is single-use. This includes devices which are not refillable, have a battery which cannot be recharged or a coil which cannot be replaced. Vapes must be refillable and rechargeable by the user in the normal course of use, and any replacements required must be separately available for purchase.

This legislation ensures that products on the market are intended to be reused and have the functional capability to be reused. Devices with non-operational charging ports, or pods which cannot actually be refilled or replaced would be contravening the law. It will be for the enforcement authority to ensure compliance with this.

It is worth stating that this law should not be seen in isolation. It is part of a suite of measures being proposed to reduce the appeal and accessibility of vapes to young people. This includes restrictions on flavours, appearance, packaging and retail display and advertising under the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill. A vaping prevention campaign from the HSE aimed at young people and their guardians is also underway, and funding of €200,000 was given to continue this as part of Budget 2026. As with tobacco, we must approach the issue from a range of angles to achieve our objective.