A recent survey by the European Schools Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs found that e-cigarette use among Irish 15- to 17-year-olds increased from 10 per cent to 18 per cent between 2015 and 2019. It is understood that under Mr Donnelly’s memo the Government would also move to curb the advertising of vaping products near schools and other settings frequented by children and young adolescents.
Mr Donnelly is expected to tell the Cabinet that there are concerns that vaping is a gateway to smoking. He will give details of a review by the Health Research Board which found that children who vaped were five times more likely to start smoking. It is understood that the vaping measures would take effect early next year.
It would, in effect, see local communities work in tandem with State organisations to improve safety in their areas. The Bill would also strengthen and consolidate independent, external oversight of An Garda Síochána. The Bill would also expand the remit of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and overhaul its investigation procedures and separately seek to strengthen oversight of national security.