Ireland Will Launch Public Consultation On E-cigarette Policy, Focusing On Multiple Regulatory Issues

Irish Minister of Health Stephen Donnelly has submitted legislation to parliament to prohibit teenagers under the age of 18 from purchasing e-cigarettes. The government has launched a consultation campaign to solicit opinions on what measures Ireland needs to take to reduce the attractiveness of nicotine products.
According to the news website Newstalk, Irish Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has submitted legislation to parliament to prohibit teenagers under the age of 18 from purchasing e-cigarettes.
Secretary of State Hildeguarde Naughton said, "I have committed to further legislation in this regard.".
Norton further stated that the government has launched a consultation campaign, which will continue until January 5th next year, to solicit people's opinions on what measures Ireland needs to take to reduce the attractiveness of nicotine products.
In the next four weeks, the government will solicit public opinions on multiple areas, including:
Display nicotine inhalation products in the store
Nicotine Inhalation Product essence
The appearance of nicotine inhalation products
Agent sales of tobacco and nicotine inhalation products
Smoking in outdoor dining areas
Expanding smoke-free restrictions to e-cigarettes
Increase the sales age of tobacco products
Raise the price of electronic cigarettes
The smoker rights organization Forest has criticized suggestions for further regulation of the industry, citing the risk of hasty policy formulation.
Forest spokesperson John Mallon stated:
"We urge the government not to succumb to the moral panic over e-cigarettes and to regulate low-risk products in a relaxed manner to avoid affecting their effectiveness as safer alternatives to cigarettes."