Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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415. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ban the use of e-cigarettes indoors and in public places due to the untested short and long-term health effects of the emitted vapour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10518/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Tobacco Free Ireland, Ireland’s tobacco control policy, states that the general consensus at European level is that there is a lack of research in relation to the long term health effects of e-cigarettes and a lack of sufficient evidence that they aid with smoking cessation. In order to harmonise regulation of e-cigarettes across EU Member States, the new Tobacco Products Directive, which still has to be formally adopted at European level will, inter alia, provide for the regulation of e-cigarettes. The Tobacco Directive will:

- set mandatory safety and quality requirements e.g. on nicotine content, ingredients and devices, as well as refill mechanisms etc., for e-cigarettes,

- make health warnings and information leaflets obligatory,

- introduce notification requirements for manufacturers and importers of e-cigarettes,

- impose stricter rules on advertising and monitoring of market developments.

As e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco the smoking of e-cigarettes is not prohibited in indoor work places under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 to 2013. Agencies can, however, on a voluntary basis have policies in relation to e-cigarettes if they so wish. My Department is currently reviewing the potential harms and potential benefits of e-cigarettes before deciding the best approach to their wider regulation.