Ireland Taoiseach Calls for Phasing Out Vapes as Cabinet Considers Ban on Single-Use Devices

Nov.19

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland should work toward eliminating the use of vapes over time, as the Cabinet meets to consider the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, proposed by Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The bill would ban the retail sale of single-use vapes six months after it becomes law.

Key Points

Bill Content: Proposes a retail ban on disposable (single-use) vapes.
Implementation: Six months after the Act takes effect.
Additional Measures: Plans to regulate nicotine pouches under the same bill.
Taoiseach’s View: Martin called vapes “the revenge of the tobacco industry,” criticising youth targeting.
Reference: Northern Ireland implemented a similar ban in June 2025 with penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment.

2Firsts — November 19, 2025 — Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the country should focus on eliminating vape use over time, as the Cabinet prepares to discuss a new law banning single-use vapes, RTÉ reported.

The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, introduced by Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, seeks to prohibit the retail sale of disposable vapes, with the ban taking effect six months after the law’s commencement.

Martin said the legislation also includes restrictions on advertising and other related measures. “When the smoking ban was introduced in 2004, vapes did not exist,” he said. “I often describe vapes as the revenge of the tobacco industry.”

He condemned the targeting of young people with nicotine products, saying such marketing “creates a captive market of addicted users.”

MacNeill is also expected to seek Cabinet approval to add regulatory provisions for other nicotine products, including nicotine pouches, to the broader Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill.

A similar law took effect in Northern Ireland in June 2025, making the sale or supply of single-use vapes a criminal offence punishable by up to two years in jail and fines. Retailers were given six months to sell remaining stock before enforcement began.

Image source: RTÉ

References:

[1] Vapes 'the revenge of the tobacco industry', Taoiseach says

Also Read:

[1] Irish Cabinet to Consider Bill Banning Sale of Single-Use Vapes

[2] Ireland Considering Ban on Nicotine Pouches to Protect Youth, Says Chief Medical Officer

[3] Ireland Implements 50c per ml Tax on E-Liquids Starting Nov 1

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