Irish Deputy Prime Minister Calls for Ban on Disposable e-cigarettes

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.31.2024
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Calls for Ban on Disposable e-cigarettes
Irish Deputy Prime Minister, Micheál Martin, calls for a complete ban on disposable e-cigarettes to crack down on the industry.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, an Irish deputy prime minister, Micheál Martin, has called for a complete ban on disposable e-cigarettes in order to drastically crackdown on this industry.

 

This appeal comes after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak considers banning disposable e-cigarettes to protect children's health. Martin strongly expressed his disdain for the e-cigarette industry and hopes that the Irish government will consider implementing a similar prohibition.

 

Despite the Irish government having passed laws prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to individuals below the age of 18, the trend of young people using these devices continues to rise, primarily due to the affordability and wide range of flavors offered by disposable e-cigarettes. Last month, a new law came into effect, further strengthening the age restrictions on the sale of e-cigarettes.

 

Martin criticized the marketing tactics of e-cigarette companies, accusing them of using various flavors and colors to attract children. He believes that these companies have not thoroughly examined the impact of their products on children and calls for a more in-depth health analysis of e-cigarettes.

 

He expressed his strong disapproval of e-cigarettes, stating, "I am extremely disgusted by e-cigarettes. Having them placed next to candy at the counters is already tempting, and now they come in various flavors. It is clear that their target audience is children." Martin welcomes any measures aimed at cracking down on the e-cigarette industry, as he is shocked by the increasing number of young people turning to e-cigarettes and emphasizes that they appear to have become a substitute for traditional tobacco.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

From a 2017 Launch to 48% of South Korea’s Heated Tobacco Market, KT&G Looks Back on a Decade of lil
From a 2017 Launch to 48% of South Korea’s Heated Tobacco Market, KT&G Looks Back on a Decade of lil
KT&G announced on Aug. 13, 2026, that it has opened “lil Archive,” a brand exhibition space in Seoul showcasing the evolution, technology platforms and future direction of its heated tobacco brand lil since its launch in 2017. KT&G said lil now spans three major platforms — lil SOLID, lil HYBRID and lil AIBLE — with more than 30 dedicated consumables, and held a 48% share of South Korea's heated tobacco market in the second quarter of 2026. The opening comes as lil enters its 10th year, with KT&G continuing to position the brand for expansion beyond its domestic market.
Aug.14
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Fox News and other reports, the DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force (TFTF) has been linked to more than $1 billion in recoveries, penalties, forfeitures and publicly charged losses in less than one year. The task force focuses on trade fraud issues including country-of-origin fraud, illegal transshipment, false declarations and tariff evasion. While vape products are not the main source of the $1 billion figure, the industry’s reliance on global manufacturing and cross-border supply chains places it within broader U.S. trade enforcement scrutiny. The development suggests that U.S. oversight of cross-border vape products may increasingly extend beyond product authorization into import compliance, supply-chain transparency and corporate accountability.
Jul.23
BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
British American Tobacco’s New Category revenue rose 18% at constant rates in the first half of 2026. Nicotine-pouch brand Velo expanded rapidly, while Vuse recovered as U.S. enforcement against illicit e-vapor products strengthened. Heated-tobacco platform glo remained under pressure, and cigarettes continued to provide most of the group’s profit and cash. Compared with PMI and JT, BAT has more routes to growth—but also greater regulatory, investment and execution risks across its broader portfolio.
BAT
Jul.30
China Discloses First Criminal Case Over Counterfeit Vapes Disguised as “Medical Nebulizers” and “Zero-Nicotine” Products
China Discloses First Criminal Case Over Counterfeit Vapes Disguised as “Medical Nebulizers” and “Zero-Nicotine” Products
Chinese authorities have disclosed the country’s first reported criminal case involving counterfeit vapes marketed as “medical nebulizers” and “zero-nicotine” products. Authorities determined that the products involved were counterfeit vapes and pursued criminal charges for producing and selling counterfeit goods. According to the report, the case resulted in the seizure of 347,000 counterfeit vape pods and 53,700 vape devices, with physical goods valued at 22.13 million yuan.
Aug.04
UK HMRC Plans 30,000 Retail Enforcement Actions as Illegal Tobacco and Vape Sellers Face Tougher Crackdown
UK HMRC Plans 30,000 Retail Enforcement Actions as Illegal Tobacco and Vape Sellers Face Tougher Crackdown
The UK government has announced that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will carry out more than 30,000 interventions targeting businesses and retail premises during the 2026-2027 financial year. The actions will focus on tax fraud, illegal goods sales and businesses involved in unlawful activities through retail channels. The government said illegal tobacco and illegal vape sales remain areas of concern. The move shows that UK enforcement against illegal nicotine products is expanding from import and supply channels toward retail-level oversight, alongside the upcoming introduction of the Vaping Products Duty.
Jul.24
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Maduro Distributors, Inc., doing business as Loon, on July 15, 2026, alleging that the company illegally manufactured, distributed and sold flavored vapes that appeal to minors.
Jul.16