459. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on plans to improve regulation on vaping and nicotine products and to consider the points made on public health grounds (details supplied). [52520/26]

A great deal of legislative and non-legislative work is underway to tackle youth vaping, smoking and nicotine use.

The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 introduced a suite of measures to tackle the rise in youth vaping including prohibiting the sale of nicotine inhaling products to persons under the age of 18, a new licensing system for the retail sale of nicotine inhaling products, a ban on self-service vending machines and a ban on the advertisement of nicotine inhaling products on public transport, in cinemas and near schools.

The Public Health (Single Use Vapes) Bill 2025 will ban the sale of single-use or "disposable" vapes, in recognition of the dual health and environmental impact of these products. This Bill passed all stages in the Oireachtas on the 7th of July and I intend to commence this law as soon as possible.

The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 will ensure that nicotine inhaling products such as vapes do not have eye-catching imagery or colours. Flavour descriptors and language other than basic flavour names will be prohibited, and the range of possible flavours significantly restricted. Furthermore, all nicotine products, including nicotine pouches, will be subject to a minimum age of sale of 18 and advertising will be banned in all retail settings. Retail sale includes the free supply of these products. Display of nicotine products will also be prohibited in mixed retail premises, as is currently the case for cigarettes.

This Bill has completed all stages in the Dáil. It must complete the EU notification process on the 7th of October before it can be brought to enactment.

In addition to legislation, work is ongoing within the HSE to increase access to information on nicotine products for young people, parents and schools:

• Funding was allocated in Budget 2025 and continued in Budget 2026 for a youth vaping prevention media campaign. This campaign has been developed by the HSE and provides evidence-based information to young people and their guardians.

• Junior Cycle SPHE resources were published in 2023 on the impact of nicotine, tobacco use, second-hand smoke, e-cigarettes and vaping.

• The HSE’s guidance for schools on vaping includes information on the impact of nicotine on adolescents.

• The HSE has recently updated public-facing resources on recreational nicotine products (such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches) and made these available to schools and parents.

The above measures in combination are designed to greatly reduce the appeal and accessibility of vapes and other nicotine products to young people.

The Tobacco Free Ireland policy is currently being updated. It will set out a pathway to end the epidemic of smoking-related harm in Ireland and to continue to protect young people from the harm of nicotine products.