The Government has given the Minister for Health the go-ahead to draft legislation that would introduce further restrictions on nicotine-inhaling products (vapes).

A law banning the sale of such products to people under 18 came into effect late last year.

The general scheme for a Nicotine Inhaling Products Bill proposes further measures – including:

• A ban on point-of-sale display and advertising in shops. other than those who only or primarily sell these products,
• Restrictions on colours and imagery on packaging and devices, as well as a ban on devices resembling or functioning as other products, such as toys or games,
• A ban on all flavour descriptors and language, other than basic flavour names,
• A limit on flavours in nicotine-inhaling products to tobacco, with provisions to amend the list of allowed flavours as new evidence presents, and
• A ban on the import, manufacture, and sale of single-use or disposable vapes.

Minister Stephen Donnelly said that the proposed legislation would tackle the rise in the use of vapes among children and young people by reducing their attractiveness and availability.

“I know that some adult smokers use nicotine-inhaling products to quit smoking, so these products, other than disposable vapes, will continue to remain available,” he added.