What happens to your mouth when you vape? While the long-term effects of vaping are not fully known yet, there is an immediate risk of damage to your oral health and well-being. Evidence suggests that vaping can lead to inflammation of gums, which in turn can lead to gum disease and other issues. E-cigarette devices contain a mixture of nicotine and solvent carriers such as propylene glycol amongst other chemicals. This sticky substance changes the bacteria in your mouth and interferes with the good bacterial communities present in your saliva, creating a knock-on effect in elevating the risk of gingivitis.
Today's press release from the Minister of Health is welcome.
'Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly is today welcomed the completion of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill in both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill will now be sent to Uachtarán na hÉireann for signing.
Minister Donnelly has asked officials in his Department to immediately prepare the necessary Statutory Instrument so that the ban on the sale of nicotine inhaling products, including e-cigarettes or ‘vapes’ to under-18s will come into law before Christmas.
The Minister for Health said:
“I am delighted that this Bill has passed all stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas. It will now go to the President for signing and we are on track to ensure that our ban on the sale of nicotine inhaling products, including e-cigarettes, to minors will be in place before Christmas.
“Our public consultation on the further regulation of e-cigarettes was launched on 25 November 2023. We are seeking views on a point-of-sale ban, on packaging, on flavours and other interventions to decrease the appeal of e-cigarettes for our children. I look forward to the results of the consultation and to taking further action to protect the health of our children.”
Along with prohibiting the sale of nicotine-inhaling products to those under 18s the current Bill will:
- Prohibit the sale of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products at events for children;
- Prohibit the self-service sale (vending machines) of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products;
- Introduce a strict licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products;
- Prohibit the advertising of nicotine-inhaling products around schools and on public transport;
- Provide additional enforcement powers to the Environmental Health Service for measures in the Bill and for all previous Tobacco Control Acts.