‘Strong leadership’ or ‘own goal’? - Kilkenny TDs disagree on impact of proposed vape bill
Peter 'Chap' Cleere (FF) and Natasha Newsome Drennan (SF) both spoke on the legislation in the Dáil recently
Two Kilkenny TDs have expressed contrasting opinions on the impact of newly proposed vape legislation.
The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 was introduced and subsequently debated during a recent Dáil sitting.
Carlow-Kilkenny TD and Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor outlined the purpose of the legislation to the chamber.
She stated: “The purpose of the bill is to reduce the appeal and accessibility of e-cigarettes, vapes and other nicotine products such as pouches to young people.
“According to the current evidence, e-cigarettes may be less harmful than tobacco smoking but this does not mean that they are harmless.
“Our priority with this bill is to protect the health of our young people and non-smokers by reducing the likelihood that they will take up or continue to use products like vapes.”
The bill looks to restrict the colours and imagery on packaging to make them less attractive to young people.
It also aims to restrict the flavours for sale and prohibit all flavour descriptors and language other than basic flavour names.
These measures were welcomed by Carlow-Kilkenny Fianna Fáil TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, who said they could have a “transformative impact” on young people.
Deputy Cleere stated: “As legislators, but first and foremost as parents, we have a responsibility to act when we see a public health threat emerging. That is precisely what we are witnessing.
“The industry is increasingly aggressive and actively targeting our children and other younger people through marketing strategies that rely on bright colours, appealing flavours and sleek modern designs.
“Let us be very clear: this is not accidental. It is absolutely deliberate. The Government is right to respond strongly through this bill to protect our young people, not just from current harms but also from future ones.”
He went on to praise the Government for taking action on the issue and encouraged other TDs to support the bill.
“The Government is showing strong leadership through the measures contained in this bill.
“I am particularly proud that Fianna Fáil continues to play a leading role in advancing public health policy, just as it did with the smoking ban many years ago.
“I look forward to the day when I can reflect, not only as a politician but also as a father, on the positive and lasting impact this legislation will have had.”
“This bill is a step towards that future, and it is a step worth taking,” he added.
While many of these potential measures have been welcomed by the Opposition, there has been criticism of some aspects of the bill.
Carlow-Kilkenny Sinn Féin TD Natasha Newsome Drennan criticised the plan to reduce the number of vape flavours available to adults.
Deputy Newsome Drennan said: “I can guarantee the Minister of State two things. The first is that every single TD in this Chamber has lost a friend, family member or neighbour as a direct result of smoking.
“The second is that every one of us also knows several people who have quit smoking with the help of vaping, friends or family members whose lives have changed.
“I am almost certain that almost all of them used the very flavoured vapes the Government is now proposing to ban.
“Banning flavoured vapes would be a complete own goal in our fight to reduce the number of smokers in Ireland.
“All the Government would succeed in doing is pushing people back into the grip of the tobacco industry or driving them towards unregulated online platforms where there is little to no oversight on safety, age verification or quality control.”
She went on to cite figures showing that many people who have quit smoking rely on flavoured vapes.
“Let us look at the figures. The numbers are overwhelming. Some 73% of vapers say that fruit flavours play a key role in helping them stay off cigarettes.
“Some 49% would actively source flavoured vapes online or from abroad if a ban were introduced.
“A total of 72% believe that a ban would lead to more young people taking up smoking rather than fewer and 71% believe that banning flavours would push current vapers back towards deadly tobacco products.
“These are not my opinions but the views of the ordinary people whose interests we are here to represent.”
Deputy Newsome Drennan concluded by saying that whilst she agreed with many aspects of the legislation, the banning of vape flavours is a “step too far”.
Having passed the second stage, the bill will now go forward for a detailed examination by a parliamentary committee.
It will then return to the Dáil for a vote before, if passed, being brought before the Seanad.