In a bid to protect children from the growing scourge of vaping, Ireland’s Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly, has announced plans to ban disposable vapes. This move comes as part of a broader legislative effort to curb the influence of the tobacco industry on the youth. Minister Donnelly stated that disposable vapes have become a gateway for getting children to smoke, and he is determined to address this issue with urgency.
This decision follows a special investigation by the Irish Mirror that revealed children as young as 10 were regular vapers, and seven children were hospitalized with vape-related conditions last year. Currently, there is no law in place banning the sale or purchase of vapes by children, highlighting the need for stricter regulations.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who previously banned smoking in pubs 20 years ago, has thrown his support behind the campaign, dubbing vaping “the revenge of the tobacco industry.” Minister Donnelly and his team are working on drafting a new bill to ban disposable vapes completely, signaling a strong commitment to protecting the nation’s youth from the harmful effects of vaping.