John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have some sympathy for the existing smoker who is vainly trying to quit using different methods. That includes some prescribed products, some of which have been withdrawn from the market, which is kind of horrifying in its own way. I am aware of that.

Cases of lung injuries and associated deaths in the US are predominantly associated with people who modify their vaping devices or use black market modified e-liquids. I was not aware until recently that the market has introduced pods.

They are tamper-proof. That is a way we could go, if people were to decide it. In other words, you buy your pod, you insert it and that is it. You do not get to mess around with the strength or to add other stuff.

I will summarise and I will then let our guests back in. I am open-minded about the existing addicted smoker who finds vaping to be a gateway out. If we were to start from scratch with everything, would we legalise drink or tobacco? I think not. I ask the association representatives to come back to me on that. What do they think they need to do? I understand the flavouring point when it comes to adults. If someone is switching from smoking to vaping, he or she probably wants something that tastes a little nicer than nicotine.