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

UK HMRC Launches Vape Duty Stamps on October 1, Ushering in Supply-Chain Traceability as Chinese Exporters Face New Compliance Hurdles
UK HMRC Launches Vape Duty Stamps on October 1, Ushering in Supply-Chain Traceability as Chinese Exporters Face New Compliance Hurdles
HM Revenue & Customs put the UK's Vaping Products Duty and Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme into effect on October 1. All vaping liquids manufactured in or imported into the UK are now subject to duty at £2.20 per 10ml, regardless of nicotine content. The stamp regime will introduce digital functionality designed to provide traceability throughout the supply chain, with approved manufacturers, importers and warehousekeepers required to report product movements and retailers and consumers eventually able to scan stamps to verify authenticity. China exported $177 million of vape-related products to the UK in August, up 51.4% year over year, increasing the significance of the new compliance regime for China's Shenzhen-centered vape supply chain.
Regulations
Oct.04
Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Swedish nicotine pouch brand Kelly White is building its strategy around adult female consumers. Founder and CEO Sophia Wilsby told 2Firsts that women accounted for around 70% of the brand’s repeat customers on HAYPP in Sweden in 2025. The interview explores female consumer segmentation, product and design differentiation, gender stereotypes, packaging regulation, and how independent brands can compete with global players such as ZYN and VELO while considering funding, partnerships and future ownership options.
Business
Sep.24
Reynolds Showcases Vuse Pro Flavors and VELO Nicotine Pouches at NACS Show 2026
Reynolds Showcases Vuse Pro Flavors and VELO Nicotine Pouches at NACS Show 2026
Reynolds American, a BAT subsidiary, showcased four Vuse Pro flavored e-cigarette pods and its VELO nicotine pouch portfolio at NACS Show 2026. Booth staff confirmed to 2Firsts that the Vuse Pro flavors are sold in the U.S., although they have not received FDA marketing authorization. BAT outlined plans to expand Vuse retail distribution and reported that VELO held a 30.5% year-to-date volume share of the U.S. modern oral nicotine category through August 2026. The booth also featured the newly launched VELO MAX range and merchandising displays combining cigarettes, vaping products and oral nicotine brands.
EXPO
Oct.09
Hawaii's Largest Independent Vape Retailer and Wholesaler Volcano to Close All 13 Stores Ahead of 2027 Sales Rules
Hawaii's Largest Independent Vape Retailer and Wholesaler Volcano to Close All 13 Stores Ahead of 2027 Sales Rules
Hawaii-based vaping company Volcano eCigs plans to close all 13 physical retail stores on December 31, 2026, affecting approximately 56 employees. Volcano operates retail, wholesale, proprietary product and online sales businesses and has previously described itself in legislative testimony as Hawaii's largest independent vape retailer and wholesaler. Its operating company, Jocor Enterprises LLC, filed a formal closure notice on November 4, citing changes in the state's regulatory environment. From January 1, 2027, Hawaii will restrict the sale, acquisition and possession of vaping devices and e-liquids not listed in a state product directory, alongside separate restrictions on certain disposable devices. The closure concerns Volcano's physical retail network; the company has not announced the termination of wholesale or online operations.
Market
Nov.09
North Carolina Tightens Vape Product Directory Enforcement, Expands State and Local Powers as Violators Face Fines, Product Seizures and License Suspension or Revocation
North Carolina Tightens Vape Product Directory Enforcement, Expands State and Local Powers as Violators Face Fines, Product Seizures and License Suspension or Revocation
North Carolina has expanded enforcement of its vapor product directory rules, authorizing more state and local law enforcement participation and establishing a task force led by the State Bureau of Investigation. The legislation requires at least one unannounced compliance inspection annually for retailers, distributors and wholesalers handling covered products. Penalties effective October 1, 2026, include civil fines of $500–$750 for a first violation and $1,000–$1,500 for repeated violations within 12 months, along with potential license suspension or revocation. Manufacturers may face penalties of $10,000 per unlisted product. The measures strengthen the product directory system established in 2024.
Regulations
Oct.28
From Vuse, Velo and glo to AI Consulting: Former BAT Content Lead Launches Destreza
From Vuse, Velo and glo to AI Consulting: Former BAT Content Lead Launches Destreza
Former BAT global content lead Andy Parton has left the company and launched Destreza, a London-based AI-native marketing consultancy. Parton previously worked across BAT's New Category brands Vuse, Velo and glo and had also served as Global Brand Lead for Vuse Go. Destreza says it will advise consumer businesses on AI in brand strategy, operating models, capability and agency configuration, using specialist AI agents to support research, strategy and creative development. BAT reported £3.621 billion in New Category revenue in 2025.
Sep.22