Teenagers can buy them over the counter in a petrol station for €5 or €6
Respiratory medicine experts have warned of the urgent need for legislation to ban disposable vapes, as it can have significant long-term health risks for children and young people whose brains and bodies are still developing.
In a position paper, the Faculty of Paediatrics at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) have cautioned that the use of vapes among young adults and teenagers is increasing at an alarming rate.
The evidence shows that those who vape are very likely to move on to smoking traditional cigarettes.
Professor Des Cox, a consultant in paediatric respiratory medicine and represents the faculty of paediatrics at the RCPI, said the concern is around the liquid that is used in vapes as they contain nicotine.
The Irish Heart Foundation agrees that a sense of urgency is needed to tackle the ever-increasing number of young people using vapes.
It says the biggest weapon the Government has to deter children from smoking is tax, but it isn't using it effectively
Chris Macey, the IHF's Head of Advocacy, believes a tax on these products is needed sooner rather than later:
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