I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. This is about being proactive and taking positive health initiatives. As an ex-smoker and a vape user, I know the difference between the two. I am worried about the reactive, as opposed to proactive, stance this Bill takes. While it moves us forward, it still does not do enough. I have read the latest press release from Responsible Vaping Ireland. It states that similar legislation was passed in England last year and the manufacturers have already started to modify these vapes to make them look like they are reusable by putting in fake charging points to get around that issue. It is just a worry. I understand where we are coming from and the need to keep vapes away from young people who have never smoked before. I noticed before the recess, when the Government introduced an additional tax on vaping liquids, that we are taxing addiction again instead of being proactive and taking a health initiative. It seems to be always about revenue. This will drive stuff into the black market. I have seen this and I am well aware it occurs in other countries. We know vapes were banned in Australia. I have spoken to people who live in Australia. People with an Irish accent who ask for these vapes in a shop will be given them from under the counter. We have to learn from the mistakes other countries have made. I am worried about having a knee-jerk reaction and banning all of these disposable vapes. What happens next? As other speakers asked, What about those people with addiction issues? Last year, surveys on smoking - I think there were two of them - asked all the hard questions, such as how we think we will stop smoking with bans or closing smoking areas. I never saw a questionnaire that set out where there to find an addiction helpline or an accessory to try to get people off what is an addictive substance. I worry about that. While I support the Bill, it needs to be made strong and robust on Committee Stage. We need to make sure vaping does not move into the black market because as bad and all as things are now, if vaping moves under the counter or into the black market, people will not know what they will be vaping.

Sentiment score: 0.02