One of Ireland's leading anti-smoking campaigners says proposed legislation on the sale of vapes does not go far enough. 

Tobacco-Free Research Institute Member Dr Luke Clancy said the Government “still have not made it clear young people cannot buy [vapes]”. 

“We really have no effective legislation now and I'm not very confident that legislation coming in will be very effective,” he said. 

The Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill bans the sale of vapes to people under 18.    

“[Vapes will] still be allowed flavours, and they're still have this packaging, and we wonder how effective can be,” Dr Clancy said. 

He said he was not even confident new legislation will prevent young people from accessing vapes. 

A woman smokes a disposable vape. Picture by: Mikhail Reshetnikov / Alamy Stock Photo

Under the proposed legislation, the sale of vapes will also be banned from places or events where children are “the majority of attendees”.   

The legislation also bans the advertisement of vapes on public transport, in cinemas and near schools.  

Retailers who breach legislation will face suspension periods or fines. 

This week, the HSE issued a warning over the sale of two vaping products which contain excessive amounts of nicotine. 

The McKesse MK Bar 7000 in both Blue and Razz and Green Apple flavours were found to have a nicotine concentration up to 28.9 mg/ml, though the packaging stated it was 20mg/ml. 

The HSE warned people who have bought the vapes not to use them and to return them to the store they were bought in.