Fianna Fáil Minister for Public Health announced plans to ban single vapes
Fianna Fáil TD, Erin McGreehan believes legislation introduced by Minister for Public Health Jennifer Murnane O’Connor will be a ‘gamechanger’ when it comes to the public health.
Minister Murnane O’Connor is leading efforts to reduce the rates of nicotine use by young people and tackle environmental harms caused by disposable vapes. These plans were approved by Government to ban the use of single use disposable vapes as well as other measures.
Speaking on the announcement she said:
“Vaping and the use of single use vapes is an epidemic amongst of our young people. I welcome the approval by Government of Minister Murnane O’Connor’s plans. It is particularly important that we crack down on the range of flavours and colours available. This is what makes disposable vapes so attractive to young people, and I am glad we are clamping down on it.
Under the plans products such as nicotine patches which is often referred to as snus, will also be regulated, something McGreehan believes is ‘pivotal’ in combatting nicotine addiction in young people.
“The ever-evolving supply of nicotine induced products is extremely concerning. Our young people have never been so exposed to nicotine as they are today. It is pivotal that we are proactive on this front and do not get left behind.
Legislation to restrict the colours and images on packaging is at an advanced stage of drafting. That legislation will also ban point-of-sale display among other measures. The legislation comes as recent statistics from the Healthy Ireland survey show that vape usage is highest among younger people.
Legislation to ban single use vapes will be introduced in the Dáil by Minister Murnane O’Connor before Christmas, something McGreehan hails.
“I would like to place on record the importance of the work my colleague Minister Murnane O’Connor has done on this. She is proactive, passionate, and keen to deliver this legislation. It will save many children from being exposed to and hooked on nicotine.
“Fianna Fáil is driving tougher nicotine controls to protect children and stop addiction before it starts,” she concluded.
ENDS
