Senator Chambers welcomes crackdown on disposable and flavoured vapes

FIANNA Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers has welcomed proposals that would ban the sale of disposable vapes.

The Nicotine Inhaling Products Bill aims to restrict the sale of flavoured vapes and ban point-of-sale advertising displays in shops other than specialised outlets that only sell vapes.

These nicotine alternatives have risen in popularity in recent years but are not subject to the same public health legislation as regular tobacco products. 

Proposals by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to draft legislation to restrict the sale and advertising of vapes were recently approved by Cabinet.  

“Disposable vapes are a blight on our environment,” Senator Chambers said in a statement 

“They are hazardous if not recycled properly and they can be seen littered across the country, in all of our communities, in even the most remote locations.

“It is well documented that they have a detrimental impact on the climate and our biodiversity as the lithium batteries within these vapes are a very toxic form of litter and could be releasing toxic compounds into the environment.”

“For both environmental and public health reasons, banning disposable vapes is a hugely important step that will protect younger people in particular, who often impulse buy them in shops and experiment with them.”

Senator Chambers said it is welcome that the legislation will tackle advertising displays, packaging and flavours, as these are targeted at younger people.

The former TD and county councillor was recently selected to run in the new five-seat Mayo constituency in the general election alongside party colleague, Minister Dara Calleary. 

Senator Chambers lost her seat in the 2020 general election when Mayo was a four-seat constituency.