A “really urgent” ban on teenagers buying vapes has been passed by the Dáil. 

If passed by the Seanad, the bill could be signed into law by the President before Christmas. 

Ahead of the vote, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said it is just the first step in a Government crackdown on vaping. 

“It’s really urgent and we’re putting a second piece of legislation in place while we’re doing this one as well,” he said. 

“[It will] look at things like advertising, where people are buying them… at colours, at flavourings, at single use disposable vapes as well - which I think we need to ban outright as well.”

Health impact

The legislation has the support of the Asthma Society of Ireland, who are concerned about the impact of vaping on people’s health. 

“They’re shown to flare asthma, so whether you’re using them yourself or whether you’re using them around somebody who has asthma, they can flare asthma symptoms,” CEO Eilís Ní Chaithnía said. 

“They can cause an asthma attack and, of course, they can be fatal. 

“So, they really are a product to be taken seriously.” 

Ms Ní Chaithnía described the legislation as just “one step” and said Minister Donnelly is right to consider measures as well. 

“What needs to follow is a ban on all vape flavours because they’re obviously attractive to young people, they make vaping easier for young people,” she said. 

“So, ban all of the flavours - except, of course, tobacco flavour.” 

The HSE has described vaping as describes vapes as potentially “less harmful” than tobacco but cautioned the technology is still new and, “We do not know the long-term health impact of vaping.”

Main image: Vaping. (Photo by Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group/MCT/Sipa USA).