I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill from my perspective as Sinn Féin's spokesperson on education and youth. Sinn Féin supports a ban on single-use vapes. We have called for a ban for years. They are an environmental scourge and a public health concern. Their proliferation has been a testament to regulatory failure. While we support this specific measure, we must criticise the Government's entire approach to this issue. The Bill in isolation is akin to using a plaster to treat a major wound. It is emblematic of a reactive, piecemeal and painfully slow strategy that is constantly years behind the curve. My primary concern is the deliberate and cynical targeting of young people by this industry. All we have to do is to open our eyes and look at these products and how they are promoted. We can see it clearly. This is a campaign of attraction aimed at children and teenagers. We are not talking about subtle marketing. We are talking about a full-spectrum assault on young senses. Vapes come in flavours that belong in a sweet shop like bubblegum, tutti-frutti, or ice cream sundae. They are packaged in lurid, neon colours with designs that would not look out of place on a gaming console or toy. They are small, sleek and discreet. This is not by accident, it is by design. It is the playbook of big tobacco repackaged for a new generation. They are creating a gateway, hooking young people on nicotine with a product that feels harmless, fashionable and sweet. It is working. Talk to any teacher, parent or youth worker and they will describe the alarming prevalence among young people. Young people who have never touched a cigarette are now addicted to nicotine, believing they are inhaling harmless water vapour, not a cocktail of chemicals whose long-term effects we are only beginning to understand. This Bill bans one type of product, the single-use vape. What about the reusable vapes that come in those same child-friendly flavours and packages? What about the online advertising that still finds its way to young eyes? What about the retailers who, despite the law, continue to sell to minors? The Government's approach of addressing this issue one Bill at a time every year or so is failing our young people. We do not need another piecemeal intervention in 2026 and another in 2027 and so on. We need modern, comprehensive and dynamic legislation now. We need to fairly examine and then implement strict regulations on flavourings and packaging to break this direct marketing line to children. As Deputy Cullinane has said and as some have suggested, this does not mean restricting flavours to tobacco only. That would be excessive and counter-productive for adult smokers seeking a less harmful alternative. It does mean banning the clearly child-oriented flavours and garish toy-like packaging that serves no public health purpose. Public policy must be balanced. It must ensure that vaping remains a route out of smoking for adults, not an attractive gateway in for non-smoking young people. It must protect our children from predatory commercial practices while supporting informed adult choice. This ban is a step but it is only a small step on a journey the Government is taking at a snail's pace. Our young people need us to run. They need a comprehensive strategy that tackles availability, marketing, flavours and packaging in one coherent, robust piece of legislation. We cannot allow another year to pass when a new generation is lured into nicotine addiction by flavours of bubblegum, rainbows, unicorns and whatever you are having yourself. Sinn Féin will support this Bill but we demand the Government follows it immediately with the comprehensive action our children deserve. Enough with this piecemeal approach. Let us protect our young people.

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