According to a new plan implemented by the Irish government to combat the sale of electronic cigarettes, individuals under the age of 18 will no longer be allowed to purchase e-cigarettes.
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, presented a plan to the cabinet this morning (Tuesday) which includes a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes through vending machines.
Vape or electronic cigarettes are devices that heat liquid to produce inhalable vapor.
Electronic cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular among young people who are choosing to use them instead of traditional cigarettes.
Proposed legislation includes several measures, including banning the sale of nicotine inhalant products to those under 18 years of age.
The government is currently planning to restrict the types of retailers that can sell these products.
The government has announced plans to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes in temporary or movable locations, playgrounds, recreational areas, and vending machines, targeting the protection of children.
The new legislation will also restrict e-cigarette advertisements near schools and other places frequented by children and adolescents.
A government official has told the Irish Mirror that the ban on advertising will also be extended to public transport in order to limit children's exposure to commercial information that might be seen as normalizing or glamorizing the purchase and use of e-cigarettes and vaping products.
If Minister Donnelly receives cabinet approval today (Tuesday), the legislation may be submitted to Oireachtas in early next year.
According to the World Health Organization, there are 16,000 different flavors of e-cigarettes, such as bubblegum and gummy bear.
As e-cigarettes become increasingly popular, there is growing concern that they may become a gateway to smoking for young people.
A review of evidence by the Health Research Committee found that children who use e-cigarettes are five times more likely to start smoking than other children.
The cabinet memorandum from Minister Donaldson is the latest government attempt to combat electronic cigarettes.
Minister for State Ossian Smyth has announced his plan to launch a public consultation in order to consider banning single-use vape products.
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