Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Deputy Kelleher in asking the Minister to ensure that another generation will not be enslaved to nicotine. I, too, am concerned about vaping. We have to take vaping very seriously because there is a movement to vape in an enclosed space or in a pub. Has the Department taken the initiative and commissioned research on this or have we conducted research on the dangers presented at emergency departments or in primary care centres by the use of these products? I think we need to grasp this opportunity. In the 2002 Act we banned smoking in enclosed public spaces, and in conjunction with this Bill, it will move the attitude of society on tobacco. Are we missing an opportunity to deal with vaping? Can we look at it in the context of this Bill and other public health initiatives on the issue of tobacco control?