Local Carlow TD welcomes crackdown on disposable vapes in Ireland

Local Carlow Fianna Fáil TD Jennifer Murnane O'Connor has today welcomed proposals brought to Cabinet by her party colleague Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly that would ban the sale of disposable vapes.

The proposals would also restrict the sale of flavoured vapes, which often appeal to children, as well as ban point-of-sale advertising displays in shops other than specialised outlets that only sell vapes.

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Deputy Murnane O'Connor said: "Disposable vapes are a blight on our environment. They are hazardous if not recycled properly and they can be seen littered across the country, in all of our communities, in even the most remote locations.

"It is well documented that they have a detrimental impact on the climate and our biodiversity as the lithium batteries within these vapes are very toxic form of litter and could be releasing toxic compounds into the environment.”

"For both environmental and public health reasons, banning disposable vapes is a hugely important step that will protect younger people in particular, who often impulse by them in shops and experiment with them."

Deputy Murnane O'Connor said it is welcome that the legislation will tackle advertising displays, packaging and flavours, as these are targeted at younger people.

She said: "The bright colours and imagery used to promote flavoured vapes are used to attract young people into impulse purchases.

"By introducing plain packaging for vapes we will reduce their appeal to youth and non-users, and by banning point of sale advertising displays we will reduce 'gateway' vaping among young people.

"The efforts of Minister Donnelly to tackle the scourge of youth vaping must be applauded. My party colleagues and I in Fianna Fáil recognise that nicotine is a highly addictive drug, and we are acting to make these products less accessible to our young people and to remove them from their everyday lives."