Disposable vapes are set to disappear from shelves after legislation banning the products completed its passage through both Houses of the Oireachtas and is now being sent to the President to be signed into law.

Once signed, the legislation will include a six-month lead-in period before the ban comes into effect, giving retailers time to clear existing stock before enforcement begins.

Junior Health Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor welcomed the move, saying it is aimed at protecting young people from nicotine addiction.

She said: ‘This is really positive because single-use vapes were very much targeted at our young people, so it is now going to be signed by the President.

‘There will be a six-month lead in. Health enforcement will then step in. We have new health enforcement officers for this and this will hopefully start in the next few months.’

The ban forms part of a wider Government crackdown on nicotine products.

Alongside prohibiting the sale of single-use vapes, new legislation will restrict vape flavours to tobacco only, removing the sweet and fruit-flavoured options that have become popular with younger users.

It will also make it illegal to sell nicotine consumption products, including nicotine pouches such as snus, to anyone under the age of 18.

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Minister Murnane O’Connor have previously said the measures are designed to reduce the appeal, visibility and accessibility of nicotine products, particularly among children and teenagers, while giving authorities stronger powers to regulate an evolving market.

The legislation comes amid growing concern over youth vaping, with health campaigners warning that brightly coloured disposable devices and sweet flavours have helped fuel a sharp rise in nicotine use among teenagers.

Once the six-month transition period ends, health enforcement officers will be responsible for ensuring retailers comply with the new rules.