Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Carrigy for sharing time with me on this very important issue. As we are aware, these shops are springing up all over our towns. They are located in prime locations with very expensive rents. They seem to be open on a daily basis. I have never come across a shop that just sells cigarettes because it would not be financially viable to do so. Something needs to be done on the regulation of these shops. I am aware that the committee on health has had a number of pre-legislative scrutiny discussions regarding the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill.We must try to strike a balance between the potential benefits of e-cigarettes for adult smokers trying to quit and the risks that more non-smokers, particularly children and especially young children, will start vaping.

As Senator Carrigy said, there is evidence that children aged as young as ten and upwards are vaping. The ban on sales of e-cigarettes to minors and the sales licensing system are measures that are needed, and a ban on cigarette flavours, which are believed to appeal largely to children and young adults, should be adopted. I understand there is a consensus among those selling these products that an age limit of 18 should be reduced, but that they disagree with a ban on the flavours. While e-cigarettes face fewer restrictions than the sale of tobacco cigarettes, as they are considered consumer products, the EU tobacco products directive does regulate some aspects of e-cigarettes, including: minimum standards of safety and quality; notification of ingredients; packaging and labelling, including health warnings; and a ban on advertising in print, broadcast, online and other electronic media, although outdoor advertising is allowed on buses and billboards, for example.

It is worth noting that the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation are concerned that the number of young people vaping is increasing. In 2015, 23% of young teenagers used these e-cigarettes. By 2019, this had increased to 37% and I suggest it is even more now. Therefore, in October 2020, the Health Research Board, HRB, published a report that stated that adolescents who used an e-cigarette were three to five times more likely to start smoking than those who did not. This is an important issue. It is as important as when we had to consider legislation to address the head shops in 2009. After much work by the late Senator Nicky McFadden, me and others, those shops were banned in the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010, which stemmed from the so-called "party Bill". Those shops were closed. This issue is just as important.