Ban on sale of vapes and e-cigarettes to children to come into effect from Friday

Vaping products in shop fronts of vape shops in Talbot Street, Dublin. File Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

The ban on the sale of e-cigarettes or vapes to children in Ireland comes into force from tomorrow, the Government has announced.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly secured Cabinet approval for the move earlier this year. The measure was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins earlier this month. 

The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill comes into effect from Friday, December 21.

From then on, it will be an offence to sell a nicotine inhaling product to someone under the age of 18. The offence will carry a penalty of a fine of up to €4,000 and a prison sentence of up to six months.

The new bill also contains a number of wide-ranging measures aimed at tackling the issue of smoking and vaping among adults.

From tomorrow, the sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products at events for children will also be prohibited, as will the self-service sale of such products. 

The legislation also introduces a strict licensing system for these items, and prohibits advertisements for them around schools and on public transport.

Lastly, the bill also provides for additional enforcement powers to the Environmental Health Service for measures in the Bill and for all previous Tobacco Control Acts.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. File Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said he had committed to bringing the move into law before Christmas, and thanked all involved for their support in helping to pass the new act.

“In 2024 I will commence the remaining measures in the Act (such as around advertising, a licensing system and vending machines) and we will examine the results of our public consultation on the further regulation of e-cigarettes and on some innovative proposals in tobacco control,” he said.

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton said the new bill was "a good beginning.

“I look forward to the results of our public consultation on the options for the further regulation of nicotine-inhaling products, particularly around flavourings and packaging," she said.

"The protection of children is at the centre of our national tobacco control policy, Tobacco Free Ireland, and I welcome this major step forward in that direction.

"We know that young people who vape are more likely to go on to smoke, so it is important that they are not drawn to these products.”