The day we've been waiting for has finally come. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has announced that he is seeking permission from the government to ban the sale, manufacturing, and importing of disposable vapes in Ireland. This is a huge victory—not just for public health and the environment—but for everyone who has tirelessly campaigned for this change, including us here at VOICE.

For years, we've raised the alarm about the severe consequences of disposable vapes. These single-use nicotine devices, while seemingly convenient, have wreaked havoc on the health of our young people, polluted our environment, and wasted critical resources. Today, it’s clear that the message has been heard. Ireland is now on the path to eliminating disposable vapes, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

But why is this decision so important for Ireland, and why are we, as a charity, committed to seeing this ban come to fruition?

A Threat to Public Health

First and foremost, disposable vapes are contributing to a growing public health crisis. The candy-like flavors of these products—think "Triple Mango" or "Blue Razz"—are directly targeting our young people, hooking a new generation on nicotine. Disposable vapes are creating a dangerous pathway for never-smokers to become addicted to nicotine, with studies showing vaping can act as a gateway to traditional smoking. In Ireland, our youth deserve better.

Minister Donnelly’s move to protect the public from disposable vapes is not just commendable, it’s critical. For too long, we’ve seen these products flood our streets and shops, and we've seen the negative consequences on the mental and physical health of young Irish people. It's time to put an end to this, and this proposed ban will be a massive step forward.

Environmental Disaster in the Making

The environmental damage caused by disposable vapes is shocking. These products are filled with plastic, lithium batteries, and toxic chemicals that are increasingly ending up in our landfills, rivers, and oceans. We’ve been watching in horror as disposable vapes become the next cigarette butt—littering our streets, polluting our water, and harming our wildlife.

Each disposable vape contains 0.15g of lithium, a resource critical for renewable energy. In 2022, an estimated 90 tons of lithium and 1,600 tons of copper were used globally for the production of these vapes. That’s enough lithium to power 11,000 electric vehicles—wasted on products designed to be thrown away after just a few hundred puffs.

At a time when Ireland and the world are pushing for a greener future, wasting these valuable resources is unacceptable. This ban is essential to ensure that our natural resources are put to better use, and our environment is protected from further damage.

A Waste of Precious Resources

The production of disposable vapes squanders critical materials that should be channeled into sustainable industries. Instead of contributing to renewable energy or critical infrastructure, lithium and copper are being used in products that are discarded almost instantly. This is a massive waste, especially when we are all aware of the urgent need to transition to a greener economy.

By supporting this ban, the government is not only safeguarding our public health and environment but also helping to secure a more sustainable future. It’s a decision that reflects Ireland’s commitment to resource conservation and our responsibility to future generations.

A Victory for Us, and a Call for Continued Action

This monumental step forward would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the public and organisations like ours. At VOICE, we’ve been campaigning hard for this ban, alongside other health, youth, and environmental organisations like the Irish Heart Foundation, An Taisce, and the Galway City Community Network. Together, we’ve written open letters, collected thousands of signatures, and pushed for change.

Now, more than ever, we need your continued support. This victory isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a larger movement to make Ireland healthier and more circular. With the ban on the horizon, we still need to ensure that this decision is finalised and that the public remains engaged. We also need to keep working to educate people about the dangers of disposable vapes and ensure this harmful product is removed from the market for good.

Join Us in the Fight

This is your win, too. But we need to keep the momentum going. Please, support our efforts and join us in our future campaigns to create a cleaner, healthier Ireland. Together, we can protect our youth, save the environment, and put a stop to the waste of valuable resources.

Let’s not stop here. Let’s push forward. Join us, and let’s make Ireland a global leader in the fight against disposable vapes!!!!

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