Tougher legislation needed now to halt rising use of nicotine pouches and vapes among young people – Roche

Fast action is required to tackle the rising number of young people who are vaping and using other nicotine products, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Pete Roche said that government must act as quickly as possible to introduce strong legislation to protect young people in particular from the impact of nicotine containing products.

Deputy Roche said: “The number of young people and children who vape has increased significantly in recent years. A recent HSE study found that one in five young people and children use vapes regularly, which is most concerning.

“It can be hard to know what exactly vapes contain, but just some substances that can be consumed include nicotine, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals.

“The variety of flavours and bright packaging on vaping products is clearly aimed at making these products more attractive to our youth; but they belie what lies within,” he pointed out.

Deputy Roche added that the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is bringing forward the Public Health (Single Use Vapes) Bill, which provides for a prohibition on the retail sale of single-use or disposable vapes.

“This legislation, when introduced, will help protect young people from accessing nicotine containing products. I am calling on the Minister to do so as soon as possible.

“Minister Carroll MacNeill is also progressing the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill. This will bring restrictions on packaging, including devices presenting as toys or games. Also, there will be limitations on the flavours offered, as well as the language describing them. This will limit the vaping products’ appeal to young people.

“I am calling on the Minister to include measures in this Bill on other current nicotine containing products, such as nicotine pouches, and on future such products to this Bill in order to protect our younger cohort from these products in the years ahead”, Deputy Roche continued.

“This legislation, when introduced, should also deal with some of the major problems with how vapes and pouches are sold. Shops will be required to hide these products in the same way as tobacco, and agents will not be permitted to advertise the products.

“Children and young people who vape are more likely to become hooked on nicotine, that is a fact. This can lead to lung, heart and blood vessels damage, problems sleeping and mental health difficulties, such as low mood and anxiety.

“We need to put the brakes on the accelerating levels of young people vaping and using tobacco pouches and it starts with more rigorous legislation for how these products are marketed and sold. This must be introduced as a priority so we can avoid any more young people taking up vaping.”