Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

610. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an alliance of organisations (details supplied) seeking an increase in the legal age of sale of all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21 years, commonly known as Tobacco 21; if he is in favour of Ireland introducing Tobacco 21 as a policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60549/22]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

675. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a group (details supplied) calling on the Government to raise the smoking age from 18 to 21, in support of the Government's stated objective of reducing the smoking rate in Ireland to 5% by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60847/22]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

676. To ask the Minister for Health if it would be permissible under the current EU tobacco products directive to raise the smoking age in Ireland from 18 to 21 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60848/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 610, 675 and 676 together.

The EU Tobacco Products Directive does not legislate for age of sale therefore it would be possible for Ireland to increase its minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products through domestic law. 

I am aware of the campaign to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 years. I welcome this engagement from civil society and I know that the strong alliance between civil society and Government is the reason that Ireland has been notably successful and has a global reputation as a pioneer in tobacco control.

I understand that at least eleven countries have already increased their legal age of sale of tobacco to 21 with the U.S. introducing it at a federal level in December 2019. I look forward to the evidence from those interventions. My Department continues to examine all policy option, including those relating to age of purchase, which would reduce the enormous, and entirely preventable, toll of disease and death from tobacco smoking in our country.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

611. To ask the Minister for Health if he is concerned over the rise of disposable e-cigarette use among adolescents; if his Department has a plan to counter this trend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60550/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The most recent data on the use of electronic cigarettes among young people is from the European Schools Project on Alcohol and other Drugs 2019 report. Almost 2,000 Irish students aged 15 and 16 years completed the survey in 2019 and it found that 39% of students reported having ever used an e-cigarette with 16% of these reporting using one in the last 30 days.

The Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill which is currently being drafted will prohibit the sale of nicotine inhaling products including disposable e-cigarettes to, and by, persons under 18 years of age. It will also require that any retailer of e-cigarettes must have a licence which must be renewed annually. Furthermore, on the 22nd November the Government approved the inclusion of additional measures to this Bill. The sale of nicotine inhaling products will now be prohibited from self-service vending machines, from temporary or mobile premises and at places or events for children under the Bill. In addition, advertisements for e-cigarettes will be prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and near schools. 

These measures together are aimed at reducing the availability of e-cigarettes to young people and their usage by young people.