I am delighted to debate the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026. I firmly believe this legislation has the potential to have a transformative impact on our younger people, much like when An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, led the way in introducing the smoking ban in the early noughties. This is regarded to this day as one of the most significant and effective pieces of public health legislation in the history of the State. As a father of four young daughters, I am acutely aware of both the detrimental impact of these products and, more importantly, their very real lure and appeal for them. We are dealing with a generation that is being exposed not just to nicotine but also to a carefully crafted image of it, with colours and flavours and designed to appear harmless, even fashionable. This Bill seeks to directly confront that reality. Through measures that restrict the colours and imagery used on nicotine inhaling products, devices and packaging, and by limiting flavours in these products to tobacco, with flexibility to adjust through regulation, we are taking decisive steps to remove the appeal that has drawn so many young people in. These are not cosmetic changes. They are targeted public health interventions designed to disrupt the pipeline into nicotine addiction. As legislators, but first and foremost as parents, we have a responsibility to act when we see a public health threat emerging. That is precisely what we are witnessing. The industry is increasingly aggressive and actively targeting our children and other younger people through marketing strategies that rely on bright colours, appealing flavours and sleek modern designs. Let us be very clear: this is not accidental. It is absolutely deliberate. The Government is right to respond strongly through this Bill to protect our young people, not just from current harms but also from future ones. It is important that we continue to reinforce clear public health messaging. The best way to stop smoking is to contact a GP or pharmacist. Vaping is not recommended by the HSE as a method of smoking cessation. The evidence consistently shows that licensed medicines remain the safest and most effective way to quit smoking. Furthermore, emerging research indicates that long-term use of e-cigarettes can significantly impair the function of blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, which should concern us all. I commend the ongoing work of the Irish Heart Foundation. Its efforts in raising awareness of the dangers of vaping, particularly among younger people, have been invaluable. The briefings it has provided in Leinster House have been both informative and sobering. Its advocacy plays a crucial role in ensuring that we, as policymakers, remain informed, responsive and grounded by evidence. The industry is fast-moving and aggressive, and one about which we must remain vigilant. A new product now emerging on the market is known as snus. For those unfamiliar with it, snus is a nicotine pouch placed between the lip and gum. While it may appear less harmful on the surface, it can contain very high levels of nicotine, posing serious risks and potentially leading to addiction and other health complications. As this product is relatively new to the market, we are still learning about its full impact. However, early indicators are deeply concerning. Reports from last November showed that tobacco firm PJ Carroll saw sales of nicotine pouches in Ireland increase almost five-fold, rising from 6 million to 29 million units. That is not just growth; that is an extraordinarily alarming surge. It underlines the urgency with which we must respond. We now have clear and, unfortunately, growing evidence that the younger population is becoming increasingly dependent on nicotine. In Ireland, approximately 11% of under-25s are regular users of e-cigarettes, the highest usage rate of any age group. There are multiple factors driving this: the widespread perception that vaping is less harmful than smoking, the lower cost per use compared to traditional cigarettes, and the appeal of flavoured products that mask the harshness typically associated with tobacco. The absence of the traditional smell of smoke also makes these products easier to conceal, further increasing their attractiveness among younger users. This is not a marginal issue. It is a generational one, and it demands a comprehensive, sustained response. I join colleagues across this House in encouraging people, including those in my constituency, which covers Carlow and Kilkenny, to seek support if they are trying to quit. The HSE Quit Service offers vital assistance to adults who smoke or vape. For younger people, the HSE Quit4Youth programme provides a dedicated seven-week support structure designed for them to stop. The Government is showing strong leadership through the measures contained in this Bill. I am particularly proud that Fianna Fáil continues to play a leading role in advancing public health policy, just as it did with the smoking ban many years ago. I look forward to the day when I can reflect, not only as a politician but also as a father, on the positive and lasting impact this legislation will have had. I want to see a future where my daughters and all young people across Ireland grow up in an environment where the pull of nicotine addiction has been significantly reduced, where informed choices are the norm and where public health is protected with the seriousness it deserves. This Bill is a step towards that future, and it is a step worth taking.

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