Irish government approves plans to ban disposable vapes

The move in the Republic of Ireland comes after the sale and supply of single use vapes in Northern Ireland was banned back in April 2025

The Irish government has approved plans to ban the sale of disposable vapes and introduce new restrictions on other nicotine products.

The move in the Republic of Ireland comes after the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Northern Ireland was banned back in April 2025.

Anyone found guilty of stocking or supplying single-use vapes in Northern Ireland could face a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.

In the Republic of Ireland, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill received Irish cabinet approval to publish the Public Health (Single Use Vapes) Bill 2025, which would make it illegal for retailers to sell single-use e-cigarettes in the country.

What is a disposable vape?

• They are single use

• They are already filled and charged

• They are activated by inhaling

• The battery only lasts a short while, sometimes only a day, so they are designed to be discarded

• They are often small and fit in a pocket

• They do not have a replaceable coil and cannot be recharged or refilled

The Irish government also agreed to develop legislation preventing the sale of other nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, to people under the age of 18.

Advertising for such products will be banned in all retail outlets, and mixed retailers will no longer be allowed to display them openly.

The measures will be incorporated into the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill, which will regulate the packaging, appearance, flavours and display of nicotine-inhaling products.

Officials said the framework is intended to apply to future nicotine products, as well as those currently on the market.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill says the move will help better protect young people from the harms of nicotine products

Carroll MacNeill said the changes would help protect young people from "developing a nicotine addiction".

"My priority is the protection of our children," she said.

"The measures approved today will reduce the attractiveness and availability of current and future nicotine containing products for our young people.

"Taken together, these laws form a suite of measures to shield our children from the promotion and sale of these products and to allow them to grow up free from the risk of developing a nicotine addiction."

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Minister of State at the Department of Health, said the proposals marked "a big step forward" in efforts to reduce nicotine use among young people.

"This is an ever-changing environment, and it is vital that we are ahead of the market when it comes to protecting our young people and safeguarding the health of future generations."

Both ministers said they would work to implement the measures as quickly as possible.