Professor Des Cox:

In respect of flavours, as stated in our opening statement, we have supported a ban on flavours and that is because there is evidence that adolescents who use e-cigarettes are three to five times more likely to go on to use tobacco products. Therefore, it is a gateway. It has been demonstrated in some studies that there is strong evidence that the flavours are implicated in the development of the attractiveness of e-cigarettes as devices. A number of countries across the EU have already sought to introduce a ban on flavouring and we would support that as well. For us as a group and for me, particularly, as a paediatrician, I would have grave concerns about adolescents using nicotine-inhaled products and becoming addicted to nicotine because of the harmful effects.

The idea behind a tobacco-free Ireland is that we should be protecting children from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine-inhaled products. Our group feels that the best way of doing this is a ban on any flavouring other than tobacco flavour. It is better to protect children. Ex-smokers will still have access to e-cigarettes that are tobacco-flavoured.