Ennis Principal Says Vapes "Totally Unregulated" As Tobacco Legislation Approved

Clare FM

A Clare principal is calling for stronger legislation around the use of vapes which he claims are "completely unregulated" at the moment. It comes as legislation to raise the age at which tobacco products can be legally purchased has been approved. The week leading up to the Dáil summer recess is typically characterised by TDs and senators frantically striving to get legislation over the line. This week is no different as attention has turned to the minimum age at which cigarettes can be legally purchased. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has received Cabinet approval for the Public Health Tobacco Amendment Bill 2024 which sees the age at which someone can buy tobacco products raised from 18 to 21. Although the smoking rate has dipped significantly over the past twenty years, it's seen a slight increase in recent times as 18% of adults currently smoke. Research shows that those between the ages of 18 and 21 are at the highest risk of becoming a smoker. Principal of St. Flannan's College Father Ignatius McCormack believes the focus must now shift to regulating the use of vapes - the dangers of which he says are yet to be fully understood. The sale of vapes to under 18s has been banned in Ireland since December but there is no proposal at present to extend this ban to the age of 21. New member of the HSE Regional Health Forum West, Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Antoinette Baker-Bashua, predicts the public will be grateful in years to come for stronger legislation around of all types of smoking.