A new law banning the sale of vapes to under-18s will come into effect in the Republic of Ireland on Friday.

The order signed by Irish Health Minister Stephen Donnelly makes it an offence to sell a nicotine inhaling product, such as e-cigarettes, to a child.

The penalties can include a fine of up to €4,000 (£3,461) and up to six months in prison.

Mr Donnelly said he was “pleased” the ban could be implemented into law before Christmas.

He thanked colleagues in the Oireachtas (Irish houses of parliament) who “understood the urgency for our children” and who, he said, supported him to get the law enacted quickly.

Further regulations of e-cigarettes and proposals in tobacco control will be reviewed in the new year, Mr Donnelly added.

In November 2023, the health minister and Public Health Minister Hildegarde Naughton launched a public consultation on the future regulation of vapes.

Ms Naughton said the ban was a “good beginning” towards tackling problems around vaping.

“The protection of children is at the centre of our national tobacco control policy, Tobacco Free Ireland, and I welcome this major step forward in that direction,” she said.

The minister said she was also looking forward to the consultation’s views on the flavourings and packaging of e-cigarettes.

“We know that young people who vape are more likely to go on to smoke, so it is important that they are not drawn to these products,” she added.