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A BILL BANNING the sale of single-use or disposable vapes will be considered by Ministers at Cabinet this morning.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is requesting Government approval for the publication of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, which would ban the retail sale of single-use or disposable vapes six months after it is put into law.
Originally seen as a healthier option for adults who are addicted to cigarettes, e-cigarettes – or “vapes” – have grown more popular in recent years, particularly among younger people.
The Minister is also looking to add measures on other nicotine products, such as pouches, to the draft Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill.
Nicotine pouches are small rectangles containing nicotine, flavorings and other ingredients which users put between their lip and gum. They are not currently covered by legislation on tobacco or vapes.
In August the Irish Cancer Society criticised the government for being slow to regulate new nicotine products.
MacNeill previously said there is a “challenge” between legislation introduced by the government on nicotine products keeping up with new nicotine products developed by companies.
MacNeill will also recommend a statutory public model of inquiry into the care of children with scoliosis and spina bifida.
It comes after Tánaiste Simon Harris and the Minister for Health held a meeting with the parents of 9-year-old Harvey Sherratt at Government Buildings last week.
Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison have campaigned to get answers on the timeline of their son’s care, and a decision to remove him from a spinal surgery waitlist.
Harvey eventually had the surgery in December 2024. However, despite his overall health improving after surgery, he suddenly deteriorated eight months later and he died on 29 July.
Other items which will be brought to Cabinet today include a new 5-year National Strategy for Women and Girls which Minister for Equality Norma Foley TD is seeking approval for.
The vision of the strategy is: “An Ireland where women and girls can thrive in a gender equal society.”
It aims to achieve gender equality in areas such as public policy-making, leadership, and combatting harassment and violence against women.
There are several key objectives in the new Strategy relating to addressing gender norms, safety, leadership, equal pay, health and caring.
Subject to Cabinet approval, there will be a launch for the strategy today which will be attended by the Director of the European Institute for Gender Equality, Carlien Scheele and Lynne Cantwell, former Irish rugby international and current Head of Women’s Strategy in the IRFU.
Simon Harris and Taoiseach Micheál Martin are also to seek Cabinet sign off to fund a series of cross-border initiatives under the Taoiseach’s Shared Island Initiative.
Under the plans, up to €56m will be shared out among a number of projects to enhance transport links, the arts, emergency response capacity, research, biodiversity and public amenities.
Coimisiun na Mean will receive €14m funding to support cross border reporting and there will also be funding for a new air route Dublin and Derry which will begin operating in 2026,
Funding will also go to joint training for emergency services on both sides of the border and the All0Ireland Pollinator Plan which funds projects across the island to help pollinators such as native bees.
With additional reporting from Jane Matthews
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