Ireland to Launch Public Consultation on Vaping Policy, Focusing on Key Regulatory Issues

Irish Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has submitted legislation to Parliament to prohibit the purchase of e-cigarettes by minors under 18, and the government has launched a consultation to gather public opinions on what measures Ireland needs to take to reduce the appeal of nicotine products.

According to news from Newstalk, Irish Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has submitted legislation to Parliament to prohibit the purchase of e-cigarettes by minors under 18. 

Minister of State Hildeguarde Naughton stated: "I am committed to further legislation in this area. 

Naughton further stated that the government has launched a consultation that will last until January 5 of next year to gather public opinions on what measures Ireland needs to take to reduce the appeal of nicotine products. 

In the next four weeks, the government will seek public opinions on several areas, including:

• Displaying nicotine inhalation products in stores

• Flavors of nicotine inhalation products

• Appearance of nicotine inhalation products

• Agent sales of tobacco and nicotine inhalation products

• Smoking in outdoor dining areas

• Extending smoke-free restrictions to e-cigarettes

• Raising the legal age for tobacco product sales

• Increasing e-cigarette prices

Smokers' rights organization "Forest" criticized the proposal for further regulation of the industry, stating that there is a risk of "hasty" policy-making.

Forest spokesperson John Mallon stated:

"We urge the government not to succumb to moral panic over e-cigarettes and to regulate low-risk products in a lenient manner to avoid undermining their effectiveness as safer alternatives to cigarettes."