I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 and the Minister of State’s comments on tackling what has become a serious public health and environmental issue. The Minister of State will know that I have raised in the House previously concerns in regard to the rapid growth of single-use vapes, particularly their impact on younger people. These products are cheap, colourful, very easy to use and heavily marketed. They may look harmless but the evidence tells a different story. Disposable vapes have flooded the Irish market in recent years and youth vaping has risen alongside them. Research shows that experimenting with vapes often begins as soon as students enter secondary school. According to the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs, ESPAD, one in three students has tried vapes, one in six is a current user and one in 13 has tried nicotine pouches. That is a scale of exposure that we cannot ignore. The HSE has found that while most young people do not use vapes, regular use is increasing. Parents report feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to respond and teachers say many students believe vaping is a healthier alternative to smoking. However, vaping still involves nicotine, a highly addictive substance that raises blood pressure, increases heart rate and affects brain development in young people. Emerging evidence also links vaping to cardiovascular risks, chronic lung disease and asthma. Studies show that people who use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes may face even greater health risks than those who use either one. Therefore, while vaping may be less harmful than smoking, it is far from safe. These products are clearly designed to appeal to young people. Bright colours, sweet flavours and packaging that resembles sweets or desserts make vapes look more like treats than tobacco products. Focus groups commissioned by the Irish Cancer Society and Irish Heart Foundation found that students found vapes more appealing than traditional cigarettes, with marketing similar to milkshakes or desserts. This Bill restricts point-of-sale advertising and displays, limits flavour descriptors, bans misleading imagery and prevents devices from resembling toys or games. These are practical, evidence-based measures to protect young people from nicotine addiction. The Bill also complements wider public health efforts, such as the HSE’s Take a Deep Breath campaign, which is now providing parents and schools with clear information on the risks of vaping. The new e-liquid tax of 50 cent per millilitre, introduced in last November's budget, is expected to increase the price of typical disposable vapes from €8 to over €9. That matters because young people are more price-sensitive and price measures are often proven to reduce experimentation. The tax is expected to raise around €17 million per year but, more important, it supports the goal of reducing youth uptake. Smoking cessation supports have expanded significantly, with funding for the HSE quit service almost doubling since 2020. For young people, the Quit4Youth programme offers a dedicated seven-week support pathway. Public health is only part of the story, however. Disposable vapes are also an environmental problem. In 2022 alone, an estimated 12.5 million single-use vapes were sold in Ireland. Most were simply thrown away. These devices contain plastic, heavy metals and lithium batteries. When they end up in bins, waterways or on our streets, they pollute the environment and pose fire risks. A ban on single-use vapes is the most effective way to tackle this problem at source. The Bill strikes the right balance. It is grounded in evidence, aligned with EU regulations and focused on prevention. It reflects what parents, teachers, health professionals and communities have been saying for some time, namely, disposable vapes are doing more harm than good. We know that most young people do not vape, and we want to keep it that way, but we also know that curiosity, peer pressure and clever marketing can lead to long-term addiction. Our role as legislators is to create an environment where the healthier choice is the easier choice. This is not about punishing individuals or businesses. It is about protecting children, supporting families, reducing addiction and cleaning up our environment. This Bill is a positive and necessary step forward. It reflects our commitment to a tobacco-free Ireland, youth well-being and responsible public health policy. I commend the Minister of State on bringing it forward and I am pleased to support it.

Sentiment score: 0.15