Irish MEP: Ireland Must Completely Ban Disposables to Protect Youth

According to local Irish media dublinlive, Dublin Member of European Parliament Barry Andrews has warned that in order to prevent the younger generation from falling into "completely avoidable environmental and health crises," Ireland must completely ban the use of disposable e-cigarettes.

Andrews stated that discarded plastic e-cigarettes can quickly be found on roads, in parks, among trees and streetlights, along riverbanks and beaches.

"The under-18 group was officially banned from purchasing e-cigarettes late last year, but this is far from enough," Andrews added. "In Ireland, it is still legal to use e-cigarettes indoors, including restaurants, bars, and workplaces, which is completely unacceptable."

He emphasized:

I understand that banning e-cigarettes is a radical approach, but we Irish are not afraid to take radical measures to protect future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco products. Twenty years ago, Micheál Martin introduced groundbreaking smoking ban legislation, which has since saved 1,500 lives every year. We can lead the way on this issue as well.