Peter 'Chap' Cleere: Limits on Vaping to Protect Youth

Míle maith agat, I'm delighted to stand here today where we debate the Public Health, Tobacco Products, Nicotine and Healing Products Amendment Bill 2026 and I firmly believe this legislation has the potential to have a transformative impact for our younger people, much like when Antíoch Mícheál Martin led the way in introducing the smoking ban in the early noughties, still regarded to this day as one of the most significant and effective pieces of public health legislation in the history of the state. Now as a father of four young daughters I am acutely aware of both the detrimental impact and more importantly the very real allure and appeal that these products have for younger people today and we're dealing with a generation that is being exposed not just to nicotine but to a carefully crafted image of it, one that is colourful, one that is flavoured and one that is designed to appear harmless, even fashionable and this bill seeks to directly confront that reality and through measures that restrict the colours and imagery used on nicotine and healing products, devices and packaging and by limiting flavours in these products to tobacco with the flexibility to adjust through regulation we are taking decisive steps to remove the appeal that has drawn so many young people in and these are not cosmetic changes, they are targeted public health interventions designed to disrupt the pipeline into nicotine addiction. Now as legislators but first and foremost as parents across this house we have a responsibility to act when we see a public health threat emerging and that is precisely what we are witnessing. This is an increasingly aggressive industry, one that is actively targeting our children and our younger people through marketing strategies that rely on bright colours, appealing flavours and sleek modern designs but let's be very clear this is not accidental, this is absolutely deliberate and government is right to respond strongly to this bill to protect our young people not just from current harms but from future ones as well. And Minister it's also important that we continue to reinforce clear public health messaging. The best way to stop smoking is to contact your GP or your pharmacist. Vaping is not recommended by the HSE as a method of smoking cessation. The evidence consistently shows that licensed medicines remain the safest and most effective way to quit smoking. Furthermore emerging research indicates that long-term use of e-cigarettes can significantly impair the function of blood vessels increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, something that should concern us all. But I want to take a moment and an opportunity here to commend the ongoing work of the Irish Heart Foundation. Now their efforts in raising awareness about the dangers of vaping particularly amongst younger people has been invaluable. The briefings they have provided here at Leinster House have both been informative and sobering. Their advocacy plays a crucial role in ensuring that we as policy makers remain informed, that we remain responsive and that we remain grounded in evidence. And as I mentioned earlier this is a fast-moving and aggressive industry and one we must remain vigilant about. A new product now emerging on the market is known as snus and for those unfamiliar snus is a nicotine pouch placed between the lip and gum. And while it may appear less harmful on the surface these pouches can contain very high levels of nicotine posing serious risks and potentially leading to addiction and other health complications. And because this product is relatively new to the market we are still learning about its full impact. However early indicators are deeply concerning. Reports from last November show that tobacco firm PJ Carroll saw sales of nicotine pouches in Ireland increase almost fivefold, rising from six million to 29 million units. Now that's not just growth, that's an extraordinarily alarming surge and it underlines the urgency with which we must respond. Now we now have clear and unfortunately growing evidence that our younger population is becoming increasingly dependent on nicotine and in Ireland approximately 11 percent of under 25s are regular users of e-cigarettes, the highest usage rate of any age group. And there are multiple factors driving this, a widespread perception that vaping is less harmful than smoking, the lower cost per use compared to traditional cigarettes and the appeal of flavour products that mask the harshness typically associated with tobacco. The absence of the traditional smell of smoke also make these products easier to conceal, further increasing their attractiveness amongst younger users. And this is not a marginal issue, it is a generational one and it demands a comprehensive sustained response. And finally Minister, I would like to join colleagues across this house in encouraging anyone, including my own constituencies across Carlow and Kilkenny, to seek support if they're trying to quit. The HSE quit service offers vital assistance to adults who are smoking or vaping and for younger people. The HSE quit for youth program provides a dedicated seven-week support structure designed specifically to help people stop. Government is showing strong leadership through the measures contained in this bill and I'm particularly proud that Fianna Fáil continues to play a leading role in advancing public health policy, just as we did with the smoking ban many many years ago. And I look forward to the day when I can reflect, not only as a politician but as a father, on the positive and lasting impact this legislation will have. I want to see a future where my daughters and all young people across Ireland grow up in an environment where the pull of nicotine addiction has been significantly reduced, where informed choices are the norm and where public health is protected with the seriousness it deserves. This bill is a step towards the future and is a step worth taking.