Government Approves Ban on Disposable Vapes to Protect Children

The Government has approved legislation to prohibit the sale of disposable vapes in Ireland, with additional measures planned to restrict the sale of other nicotine products to minors.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill received Government approval today to publish the Public Health (Single Use Vapes) Bill 2025, which will ban the retail sale of single use or disposable vapes across the country.

The Minister also secured approval to develop legislation prohibiting the sale to minors of other nicotine products, such as pouches. This law will also ban the advertising of these products in all retail outlets and prohibit their display in mixed retail outlets.

The legislation has been designed to apply to any recreational nicotine products that may emerge in future, as well as those currently on the market. This approach aims to create stable regulation that remains effective as the market evolves.

The new measures will be incorporated into the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill, which will regulate the appearance, packaging, flavours and display of nicotine inhaling products.

Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: "My priority is the protection of our children. The measures approved today will reduce the attractiveness and availability of current and future nicotine containing products for our young people. Taken together, these laws form a suite of measures to shield our children from the promotion and sale of these products and to allow them to grow up free from the risk of developing a nicotine addiction."

The Minister added that she will continue working with Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O'Connor to accelerate progress towards ending smoking in Ireland.

Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, who holds responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, welcomed the Government's approval.

"I welcome Government approval for these important public health measures. They are a big step forward in protecting our children and young people from the harms of nicotine," she said.

I also want to commend the Minister for Health for planning ahead with strong, future-proofed rules for other nicotine products such as pouches. This is an ever-changing environment, and it is vital that we are ahead of the market when it comes to protecting our young people and safeguarding the health of future generations."

The Minister of State confirmed she looks forward to working with Minister Carroll MacNeill to implement these measures as quickly as possible.