Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1003. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which his Department or other bodies within this jurisdiction monitor the alternative smoking options on sale here; if all forms of vaping have been tested for addictive tendencies; the research available to date here or throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52847/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1005. To ask the Minister for Health the degree to which vaping continues to be tested in Ireland with particular reference to establishing if they are in themselves habit-forming or whether their use leads to a return to conventional tobacco smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52849/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1003 and 1005 together.

Under the EU Tobacco Products Directive, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016, a manufacturer must notify the Health Service Executive before placing novel tobacco products, e-cigarettes and refill containers on the market in Ireland. In relation to e-cigarettes, the Directive sets maximum nicotine concentrations and maximum volumes for cartridges, tanks and nicotine liquid containers. Health warnings advising consumers that e-cigarettes contain nicotine which is a highly addictive substance are also mandatory. Manufacturers, importers and distributors are legally obliged to inform the Health Service Executive if they have reason to believe that an electronic cigarette or refill container is unsafe, not of good quality or non-compliant with the Tobacco Products Directive. Details of the risk to human health and safety and any corrective action taken must also be provided. The HSE also carry out inspections of e-cigarette and refill container manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers as part of their enforcement activities under the 2016 regulations.

In October 2020 the Health Research Board published the findings of three evidence reviews on e-cigarettes conducted at the request of the Minister for Health. The evidence reviews found that e-cigarettes are not harmless but may represent a reduction in harm in relation to smoking, that e-cigarettes are as effective as nicotine replacement therapies for smoking cessation up to 6 months and that there is an association between e-cigarette use and subsequent smoking in adolescents. The reviews also made clear that further research was needed on the long-term effects of e-cigarettes.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1004. To ask the Minister for Health if the use of home rolled tobacco cigarettes has increased during the course of the lockdown; if the use of such cigarettes has led to a return to conventional smoking habits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52848/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1006. To ask the Minister for Health the degree to which his Department has monitored smoking habits in Ireland with particular reference to the need to determine whether it is on the increase or otherwise; if particular action needs to be taken to address increases in smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52850/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1004 and 1006 together.

Adult smoking trends are monitored via the Healthy Ireland Survey each year in order to measure success against the objective of Tobacco Free Ireland, the national tobacco control policy, to achieve a smokefree Ireland by 2025. Overall smoking prevalence declined by 6% between 2015 and 2019 indicating that increasing numbers of people are successfully quitting long-term. While the 2020 survey could not be conducted due to COVID-19 a survey was carried out in 2021 and its findings will be published in due course.

The HSE also monitors smoking prevalence and behaviour on a quarterly basis and continued to do so throughout the pandemic. They report that the use of roll-your-own tobacco, which is a conventional combustible tobacco product, has remained largely the same between 2019 and 2021 at around 30% of smokers.