Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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An official from the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Unit of the Department of Health attended the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) COP10 and FCTC Protocol MOP3.

The Delegation's priority was to monitor the latest developments in relation to novel products, while ensuring that focus was also kept on the tobacco epidemic.

Outcomes of the conferences include:

• The establishment of an Expert Group to explore forward-looking tobacco control measures which go beyond those which are currently contained in the FCTC.
• A decision on Article 18 which urges parties to take account of the environmental impacts of tobacco production.
• The re-establishment of an Expert Group on liability which will help Parties to take legal action against the tobacco industry.
• A decision on human rights which encourages Parties to consider including WHO FCTC principles and implementation efforts when engaging with the United Nations human rights mechanisms.
• The Panama Declaration which reaffirmed the “fundamental and irreconcilable conflict” between the tobacco industry and public health.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The public consultation on further regulation of tobacco and nicotine inhaling products closed on January 5th 2024 and received 15,822 submission. Analysis of the data is ongoing.

The content of the proposed legislation will be guided by our consultation as well as by evidence reviews, legal advice and regulatory impact assessment to ensure that any regulation is achievable and effective. This process is being further informed by engagement with other EU Member States, Government Departments and the HSE.

The timeframe for publication of the General Scheme of the Bill and considerations regarding pre-legislative scrutiny will be determined by the final proposed legislative measures.