Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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699. To ask the Minister for Health further to publication of the Government's Autumn legislative programme, the rationale for the proposed revised approach to legislation on nicotine inhaling products which will now involve two separate bills, i.e., a Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill and a Public Health (Single Use Vapes) Bill 2025; the matters to be addressed in each proposed bill; the proposed timeline for the preparation and publication of each bill; if pre-legislative scrutiny is planned in respect of each bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50453/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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On the advice of the Office of the Attorney General, the provisions to prohibit single-use vapes and the associated enforcement framework have been separated into the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill. The proposals to restrict flavours, packaging and appearance, and point of sale display and advertising for nicotine inhaling products will be progressed within the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill.

Pre legislative scrutiny was waived by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health on 25 September 2024. The waiver was requested on the basis that the provisions in the Bill primarily stem from the recommendations made by the Committee during pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2019.

Drafting of both Bills is now at an advanced stage. Once finalised, the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill will require notification at EU level for assessment under the Technical Standards Directive (Directive 2015/1535) and the Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU). The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill will also require notification at EU level under the Technical Standards Directive.