According to a report from TheSun on May 19, a ban on disposable e-cigarettes may be implemented by the end of this year. Irish Minister for the Environment, Ossian Smyth, stated that he is seeking permission to introduce legislation to completely halt the sale of these e-cigarette products, which are already prohibited for those under 18 years of age.
He stated, "I have discussed this issue with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. My department is collaborating with his department to prepare a document for a complete ban on disposable e-cigarettes. I anticipate that we will submit a formal proposal to the EU this summer and I expect to obtain approval for the ban by the end of the year.
Earlier, Minister Donald mentioned that the government had considered a total ban on e-cigarettes, "but clinical advice on whether e-cigarettes are as harmful as tobacco has not yet been established." However, he continued to criticize the tobacco industry for "once again retracting" and downplaying the dangers of e-cigarettes, similar to the practices of tobacco companies in the past.
He added, "We are exploring evidence of the harm caused by e-cigarettes, including damage to the lungs.
Minister Smith stated that there is concern about the health impacts of e-cigarettes and the environmental impact of discarded e-liquids. At the same time, the government plans to exclude reusable e-cigarettes.
Minister Smith explained, "We have not proposed a complete ban on rechargeable e-cigarettes, nor do we have plans to categorize them as prescription items. Importantly, health issues are closely related to environmental issues, so the two departments I work in must collaborate together.
In light of Australia's ban on disposable e-cigarettes earlier this year, Belgium has decided to ban them starting in January next year, and the UK also plans to ban such products starting in April next year. Minister Smith said that the EU has already given assurances that banning them here does not violate its rules.
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