The Irish Heart Foundation is urging the Government to introduce a complete ban on all disposable vapes “without delay”.
The call comes as the Minister of State for Public Procurement, eGovernment and the Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth, announced plans to launch a public consultation on disposable e-cigarettes.
Responding to yesterday’s (June 1) announcement, Mark Murphy, Advocacy Manager – Environmental Health and Tobacco for the Irish Heart Foundation, said that only a comprehensive ban on all forms of disposable e-cigarettes would deter youth vaping, and help prevent “another generation of young people” from becoming nicotine addicts.
“The arrival of disposable vapes on the Irish market has resulted in an explosion in youth use, meaning it is more than likely that the official rate of teenage e-cigarette current use will have increased from the 2019 figure of 18.1%,” he said.
“E-cigarettes are not harm-free and negatively impact adolescent brain development while, these devices’ disposable nature means there is an enormous environmental cost."
“The combination of appealing fruity flavours, an affordable price, bright colourful packaging, and insidious online marketing targeting young people, makes disposable vapes highly attractive for children and teenagers.
“There is simply no place for disposable vapes in Ireland.
“They are fuelling teenage vaping while damaging our planet at a time when we are in a climate emergency.
“Establishing a deposit and return system or improving producer responsibility will be wholly ineffective and inadequate in addressing this problem.
“Only an outright ban on all forms of disposable e-cigarettes will do. We simply cannot allow another generation of young people to become addicted to nicotine.”
A ban on the ‘targeted marketing’ of unhealthy food and drinks, particularly the targeting of children and young people, more research and cardiac services for women’s heart health, legislation to protect young people from nicotine addiction caused by e-cigarettes and tackling health inequality are among the key priorities outlined in a new Irish Heart Foundation Strategy.
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