Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

We have a duty and a moral obligation to protect the long-term health of our young people. Right now, too many children and teenagers are being targeted in the context of, hooked on and harmed by vaping. Let us be clear; nicotine is addictive. The long-terms health effects of these products are still unknown, and yet an entire generation is being lured in by colourful packaging, candy-flavoured liquids and the false belief that vaping is harmless. Ireland once led the world by introducing the first national workplace smoking ban. That bold step saved lives. We now face a new challenge, and we must act with the same courage.

Disposable vapes are cheap, easy to hide and deliberately marketed to appeal to children. They damage young hearts, lungs and blood vessels. They pollute our streets, our rivers and our environment. The companies behind them are using ever tactic in the book to create new life-long customers out of our children. We cannot stand by while that happens and that is why we are bringing forward legislation that must ban disposable vapes, restrict flavours and packaging and remove these products from shop counters where young eyes see them every day. We must invest in public information campaigns, in school resources and in supports for young people who want to quit but who are struggling with addiction. This has to be about prevention. It is about making sure the next generation grows up free from the trap of nicotine addiction. It is also about giving parents peace of mind and ensuring that our communities are healthier, cleaner and safer. Fianna Fáil's record is clear. We put public health first. Today, we must do so again. Protecting the long-term health of our young people is not just good policy; it is the right thing to do.

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