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Irish Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has announced the results of a public consultation to assess the introduction of new, stricter tobacco and e-cigarette regulations. Ireland is one of 12 EU countries advocating for stricter e-cigarette regulations.
this”Public consultation The “Discussion on Further Regulation of Tobacco and Nicotine Inhalation Products” was held between November and January, seeking views on a range of topics, including regulating the flavours, packaging and appearance of nicotine inhalation products and point-of-sale display advertising.
“We know there is strong public support for further action on tobacco and nicotine inhalation products,” Minister Donnelly said when releasing the report.
He added: “I intend to introduce legislation to regulate the display and advertising of e-cigarettes in shops, the packaging and appearance of the products, and the flavour of e-cigarette liquids. I will also ban disposable e-cigarettes because they are harmful to young people’s health and the environment.
Donnelly explained that he had already taken action on the issue under the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhalation Products) Bill 2023, which included a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s and the introduction of a new licensing system.
Expanding restrictions
A Department of Health (DoH) spokesperson told Euractiv that the consultation also addressed agency sales of both products, extending smoke-free restrictions to e-cigarettes, smoking in outdoor dining areas and raising the tobacco sales age.
At the request of the Minister of Finance, the issue of taxation on e-cigarette liquids was also included.
The Department of Health said: “The findings from this consultation will help inform future regulation of tobacco and nicotine inhalation products. Enforcement will be the responsibility of the National Environmental Health Service within the Health Service Executive (HSE).” Euractiv asked the HSE for comment on enforcement, however, the HSE referred questions back to the Department of Health without further elaboration.
Tobacco enforcement remains politically sensitive because the tobacco industry and regulators view enforcement of nicotine and e-cigarette products as a weak link, largely because governments do not allocate enough funding or other resources to oversee tobacco regulations.
Harmful alternatives
The issue is not just controversial in Ireland.
The European Parliament recognises the role of e-cigarettes in quitting smoking as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, but the issue is deeply divided. 12 EU Health MinistersThe countries, led by Denmark and joined by Ireland, are advocating strict measures, including a possible ban on flavoured e-cigarettes and limits on nicotine levels.
In this polarized environment, public health advocates push for tighter controls, while supporters argue that e-cigarettes can help reduce smoking-related deaths. The EU’s anti-cancer plan highlights this tension, aiming to balance public health priorities with harm reduction strategies.
As the European Commission seeks a unified regulatory framework that ensures policies protect public health and do not suppress the potential benefits of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, it finds itself accused of succumbing to pressure from the tobacco lobby.
In January, the Commission postponed stricter tobacco guidelines pending further consideration. “These (tougher) actions are being undermined by powerful industry interests at the expense of Europeans’ health,” Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke told the European Parliament’s Health and Environment Committee (ENVI).
Denormalization of smoking
Ireland’s latest consultation looks at possible additional measures to reduce the appeal of nicotine inhalation products to young people, denormalise smoking and improve public health.
A total of 15,821 responses were received, of which 90% were from e-cigarette users. Other responses came from academia, consumer advocacy groups, and companies involved in the manufacture and distribution of nicotine inhalation products and tobacco products.
The findings show strong support from health organizations, healthcare professionals, teachers and non-e-cigarette users for all possible interventions, highlighting the need to protect children and the uncertainty about the long-term effects of e-cigarettes.
Most respondents supported some regulation of point-of-sale displays and the packaging and appearance of nicotine inhalation products. E-cigarette users, the tobacco and e-cigarette industries, and retailers had mixed views on other measures, particularly regarding flavors.
Many e-cigarette users and those in the e-cigarette industry say these are important for adults who use nicotine inhalation products to quit smoking. However, new research conducted by University College London reports that changes in DNA in e-cigarette users may be similar to those seen in smokers who develop cancer.
(By Brian Maguire | Euractiv Promotional Lab ）
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