Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I also thank the Minister of State. This legislation is so important. I was in a shopping centre recently and I was struck by the queue outside a vape station. It was mostly young people. I was shocked because when vapes were first introduced they were to assist those wishing to quit cigarette smoking. Now, however, we are hearing from doctors about the harm vaping is causing to young people's health and to the environment. Sweet-flavoured, disposable vapes are getting children hooked on nicotine. Our streets are littered with these disposable vapes. While there may have been benefits previously for those seeking to kick a nicotine habit, we must get serious about informing our young people of the harm of vapes. We hear of children being hospitalised with breathing issues, some of which is caused by vaping. We must remember that it is addictive. Tackling the packaging is one great way to combat increased use.

The Bill seeks to introduce a licensing system for retail sales of tobacco and e-cigarettes and to bring in a range of restrictions on sales of those products. This includes banning sales from mobile phone premises and vending machines. The Bill also proposes banning the sale of e-cigarettes to those under the age of 18 and the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes by those under 18, except those 16 and 17-year-olds who are related to the licensee. The Bill further proposes restrictions on advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes. I support each of these aims and call on everyone to get behind this Bill to protect our children.

Having looked through the different sections of the Bill, I welcome the provision in section 29 to prohibit the advertising of nicotine inhaling products: on school grounds or within 200 m of the perimeter of the school; on public service vehicles such as a taxi, a bus, a train or a tram; at a train station, a bus station; or at a bus stop or a tram stop. Section 31 also seeks to provide that it would be an offence to display a licence that had been suspended, revoked or had expired. Will the Minister of State clarify what sort of information campaign is the Government looking at in this regard? I am a firm believer that communication and information are crucial.

I also wish to ask the Minister of State about enforcement. What sort of enforcement plan is being put in place for this? This is a really good Bill and I believe that all Members of the House will support it. Again, we must have proper information and a proper campaign plan, along with education and, of course, enforcement. This is absolutely crucial.

Those who see what harm can be done by these vapes will be deterred from using them, and eventually we will see those using vapes using them to quit cigarettes instead of beginning another lifetime of addiction. This is what it can be. We have a duty of care, which we are doing here, to educate and inform people, and especially our young people. As a spokesperson for children, I am very mindful of this and of the harm it can do.

I welcome the Bill. I know that all of us working together will absolutely sort of the issues here.

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