According to a report by rte.ie on March 5th, the UK government is planning to protect children's health by banning disposable e-cigarettes. This regulation will also be extended to Northern Ireland, but it will require approval from the Stormont Assembly. Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann confirmed that Northern Ireland will be included in Westminster's Tobacco and e-cigarette Bill.
The proposed bill suggests making the sale of tobacco products to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009 illegal and authorizing further regulatory measures to address the risks of e-cigarette use among adolescents.
Swan stated:
Smoking kills, it's as simple as that. In Northern Ireland, over 2000 people die from smoking-related diseases every year, costing our hospitals over £2 billion annually. As Health Minister, I must advocate for taking measures to reduce preventable deaths and help people live healthier lives in the long term. I fully support the UK government's plan to create a smoke-free generation to address the issue of e-cigarettes among teenagers.
He has requested for Northern Ireland to be included in the UK government's legislation.
It will ultimately be up to the Northern Ireland Assembly to decide whether we will be included. I introduced relevant legislation in 2021 to help protect children from the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarettes, and I believe that if this latest measure is passed, it will create a future where young people are protected from the harms of tobacco and e-cigarettes.
The Minister of Public Health of the UK, Andrea Leadsom, has welcomed Northern Ireland's involvement, stating, "I am delighted that our colleagues in Northern Ireland are joining us in addressing the growing issue of youth e-cigarette use - putting children's health first.
Professor Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer of Northern Ireland, stated, "These new measures will help protect people and prevent them from starting to smoke." Professor McBride added, "This legislation has the potential to greatly improve the public health outcomes for future generations."
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