Written answer
Legislative Measures
1108. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the present position with regard to vaping legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38742/26]
Comment on this
There are two pieces of legislation currently before the Oireachtas which have the aim of reducing the appeal of nicotine inhaling products to young people.
The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill will prohibit the sale of single-use vapes. It has completed all stages in Dáil Eireann and Second Stage in Seanad Eireann.
The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill has been notified under two separate European Union (EU) Directives. These notification procedures must be completed before the legislation can be enacted.
The Bill was notified under Article 24(3) of the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) on 15 December 2025. By 15 June, the European Commission will issue an Implementing Decision to either approve or reject the legislation.
The Bill was also notified under the Technical Standards or TRIS Directive ((EU) 2015/1535). This is not an approval procedure, but a process for Member States and the Commission to make comments on the draft legislation. The standstill period for this TRIS procedure will end on 19 June 2026.
The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill will introduce further regulation of nicotine inhaling products in terms of flavours, packaging and appearance, and retail display and advertising. It will also introduce domestic regulation for all other current and future non-medicinal nicotine consumption products, in the form of a minimum age of sale of 18 and retail display and advertising restrictions. This Bill has completed Committee Stage in Dáil Eireann.
The draft legislation was also notified at EU level under the TRIS Directive on 2 April 2026. This incurs a standstill period of 3 months, with a further 3 month extension if the EU Commission or Member States issue a Detailed Opinion regarding the legislation. This notification procedure must be completed before the legislation can be enacted.