Leitrim TD tells Dáil local teens are matching vape colours to outfits
Students matching vape colours to debs outfits highlights youth appeal concerns, Martin Kenny TD said, as Ireland moves to tighten restrictions on the appeal and accessibility of nicotine products.
A Leitrim TD has spoken about young people locally attempting to match the colour of their vapes to their outfits for social events.
The comment was made by Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny during a discussion on the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to reduce the appeal and accessibility of e-cigarettes, vapes and other nicotine products, such as pouches, to young people.
This Bill, together with the single-use vapes Bill and the 2023 Act, means that Ireland will have one of the strongest regulatory frameworks in the EU governing these products.
Deputy Kenny spoke in front of the Dáil, saying he welcomed the Bill and added observations he has made regarding young people vaping.
“Last year, girls going to the debs were trying to get vapes to match the colour of their dresses. That is the mentality we have to try to deal with,” he said, also stating that “we must do everything we can to protect children from nicotine addiction.”
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Deputy Kenny also spoke about the attractiveness that vapes can hold for younger people and children due to their bright colours and sweet flavours, and said that banning all flavours, including those available to adults, should be considered.
“I welcome the proposals within this legislation to deal with the colour of vapes and the fact that they almost look like little toys…The flavours are another issue involved in it as well. I refer to bubblegum flavour and other such flavours. Again, that is to make it more attractive to children. That is something that badly needs to be addressed and banned,” he continued.
He also said that in Ireland there appears to be “a set of people who have particularly addictive personalities,” referring to alcohol as a “huge problem” in Irish society, including among children.
‘Marketing, coercion and control’ were also referenced as tactics used by tobacco companies. “That is something that has to be tightly regulated and dealt with. For that reason, the legislation we are bringing forward is most welcome,” said Deputy Kenny.
“We have a distance to go in regard to making sure that we get the balance right and that we do not annoy, isolate or put people off, in particular adults who may choose to use vapes as a means of getting away from smoking,” he added.