Ban on sale of vapes to under-18s to come into effect on Friday

Anyone who is in breach of the new law could face a fine of up to €4,000 and/or six months in jail

A new law banning the sale of vapes to anyone under the age of 18 will come into effect on Friday.

On Thursday, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly commenced section 28 of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act, which will prohibit the sale of nicotine-inhaling products to those under the age of 18.

Anyone who is in breach of the new law could face a fine of up to €4,000 and/or up to a six-month term of imprisonment.

READ MORE: Number of young people vaping is a 'retrograde step', Tánaiste says

The new measures focus on preventing young people from beginning to smoke or vape to protect their health.

Along with prohibiting the sale of nicotine-inhaling products to those under 18, the remaining measures of the Bill will:

• Prohibit the sale of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products at events for children
• Prohibit the self-service sale of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products
• Introduce a strict licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products
• Prohibit the advertising of nicotine-inhaling products around schools and on public transport
• Provide additional enforcement powers to the Environmental Health Service for measures in the Bill and for all previous Tobacco Control Acts

Minister Donnelly said: "I committed to bringing this ban on the sale of vaping products to under-18s into law before Christmas and I am pleased that I have been able to do that by signing the commencement order.

"I thank colleagues in both Houses of the Oireachtas who understood the urgency for our children and who supported me to get this law enacted quickly.

"I’d also like to thank officials in my department and the Attorney General’s office for working to get the statutory instrument complete so that we can introduce this ban from tomorrow.

"In 2024 I will commence the remaining measures in the Act (such as around advertising, a licensing system and vending machines) and we will examine the results of our public consultation on the further regulation of e-cigarettes and on some innovative proposals in tobacco control."

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton said: "Today’s commencement is a good beginning.

"I look forward to the results of our public consultation on the options for the further regulation of nicotine-inhaling products, particularly around flavourings and packaging.

"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.

"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."

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