Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025: Committee and Remaining Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2026-07-07
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Aubrey McCarthy (IND), University of Dublin

I thank the Minister of State for being here and commend her on this important Bill. We should have dealt with vapes before now so it is timely that the Minister of State, as a new appointee, is dealing with it now.
Before I continue I would like to welcome my friends in the Gallery, as the Leas-Chathaoirleach has mentioned, especially Gillian who is here with her husband Niall. Gillian has recently graduated with a PhD in psychology from Dublin City University so she is assessing every one of the Senators now as they speak. Congratulations from all of us here and we are delighted to have the couple with us here today.
I support the amendment because it adds value to the legislation. Tobacco control cannot stand still as the products constantly change, as has been mentioned by my colleagues. There is also the changing tactics and colours used to market vapes and our response must keep pace. We also need to continue to invest in helping people who genuinely want to quit whether that is better access to counselling, community-based supports or nicotine replacement therapies. I know that there is a view of changing the colours and things like that. I believe all of that working together will save lives and reduce the long-term costs for the State.
I simply ask the Minister of State and her Department continue to keep this area under close review, as the amendment suggests. With the products that cause real harm, particularly to young people - the Minister of State will know that I am involved in the youth sector through Tiglin - we need to ensure that the legislation evolves just as quickly as the challenges that we face.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-07-07/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:09+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-07