Vape sales banned for under-18s in Ireland

A new law banning the sale of vapes to under-18s will come into effect in the Republic of Ireland on Friday.

The order signed by Irish Health Minister Stephen Donnelly makes it an offence to sell a nicotine inhaling product, such as e-cigarettes, to a child.

The penalties can include a fine of up to €4,000 (£3,461) and up to six months in prison.

Mr Donnelly said he was "pleased" the ban could be implemented into law before Christmas.

The ban in the Republic of Ireland mirrors similar legislation in the UK.

England and Wales made the ban in 2015, Scotland followed in 2017 with Northern Ireland making changes in 2022.

Mr Donnelly thanked colleagues in the Oireachtas (Irish houses of parliament) who "understood the urgency for our children" and who, he said, supported him to get the law enacted quickly.

Further regulations of e-cigarettes and proposals in tobacco control will be reviewed in the new year, Mr Donnelly added.

'A good beginning'

In November 2023, the health minister and Public Health Minister Hildegarde Naughton launched a public consultation on the future regulation of vapes.

Ms Naughton said the ban was a "good beginning" towards tackling problems around vaping.

"The protection of children is at the centre of our national tobacco control policy, Tobacco Free Ireland, and I welcome this major step forward in that direction," she said.

The minister said she was also looking forward to the consultation's views on the flavourings and packaging of e-cigarettes.

"We know that young people who vape are more likely to go on to smoke, so it is important that they are not drawn to these products,” she added.

What's in the bill?

The latest ban is part of wider measures to help tackle the use of vapes in young people.

Other countries, such as Australia, have already taken steps to try to curb nicotine addiction in children by banning the use of single-use vapes and imports.

Earlier this year, the Irish government introduced The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023 to attempt to prevent the initiation of smoking or use of nicotine-inhaling products by children.

Alongside prohibiting the sale of such items to under-18s, the act will also:

• Prohibit the sale of tobacco and nicotine-inhaling products at events for children

• Stop the self-service sale of tobacco and vapes

• Introduce a strict licensing system for the retail sale of such products

• Prohibit the advertising of such products around schools and on public transport

A public consultation on measures is open until Friday 5 January 2024.