Ireland bans the sale of vaping products to those under 18

2023-12-21 12:01:02

Updated Thursday, December 21, 2023 – 11:01

Looking ahead to 2024, the Government will study new measures to address “the packaging and flavors” of nicotine inhalation products

An advertising image of a liquid for vaping. JOHN KEEBLEEM

The Irish government will prohibit the sale of vaping products to those under 18 years of age starting this Friday with a new law that provides fines of up to 4,000 euros and prison sentence of up to six months.

The Irish Minister of Health, Stephen Donnellyannounced this Thursday that it will adopt more measures next year to control the tobacco industry, while highlighting that the new legislation will come into force before Christmas.

“I committed to including in a law the prohibition on the sale of vaping products to minors before Christmas and I am delighted that it has been possible,” declared the head of the branch today.

Donnelly thanked lawmakers from both chambers of the Dublin Parliament their support to move this legislative package forward “quickly”, after launching a “consultative process” on the matter last November.

Looking ahead to 2024, he added, the Government will study new measures to address, for example, “the packaging and flavors” of nicotine inhalation products (such as electronic cigarettes or disposable vapes), in order to make them less attractive to consumers. younger

“We know that young people who vape are more likely to smoke later, so it is important that they are not attracted to these products,” he added. Hildegarde NaughtonMinister of Public Health, Welfare and Drug Prevention.

The new law will also end as of this Friday the sale of these products at events organized for minors, as well as advertising on public transport and near educational centers.

Likewise, a stricter licensing system will be implemented for businesses that offer these types of products and vending machines will be eliminated.

The Republic of Ireland It was already at the forefront of the fight against this addiction when in 2004 it became the first country in the world to ban tobacco in all public places, as an initial step towards the goal of achieving a “smoke-free society” by 2025. .