Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, Mauritius initially regulated the consumption of vaping devices and e-cigarettes in 2008, through the Public Health (Restriction on Tobacco Products) Regulations 2008, by limiting the importation of such products strictly to personal consumption. Subsequently, vaping has been prohibited since 2023. Under the Public Health (Restriction on Tobacco Products) Regulations 2022, vapes are categorised as Electronic Nicotine Delivery System and Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems, and these are banned. The regulations clearly define vapes and extend prohibition to accessories used with devices, including filters and tubing. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the House may wish to note that, globally, vaping devices exist as both disposable and non-disposable products. However, under the current legislation in Mauritius, no distinction is made between these categories, and both are prohibited. The enforcement of the ban on the sale and import vapes multi-stakeholder effort, involving border control with the Customs Division of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) as well as local enforcement by Public Health and Food Safety Inspectorate of my Ministry and the Mauritius Police Force. I am further informed by the MRA that the number of passengers screened upon their arrival at the airport in 2025 were 27,443, and as at 15 April 2026, a total of 7,142 passengers had been screened. The methods of detection applied regarding the import of vapes include the scanning of passenger luggage, cargo and courier consignments as well as the physical inspection and examination of such items. Additionally, intelligence and information sharing, together with this profiling, are used to support detection efforts. The House may also wish to note that, as part of the enforcement efforts by the MRA, a total 4,927 vaping devices and accessories were seized and destroyed in 2025, while 1,155 units have been seized and destroyed as at 15 April 2026. Additionally, at the level of my Ministry, a total of 59 squad operations were carried out by the Public Health and Food Safety Inspectorate in 2025, during which, 1,280 premises were visited. For 2026 and as at date, seven squad operations have been conducted, and 52 premises were visited. With regard to part (b) of the question, my Ministry, through its Health Information, Education and Communication Unit, is actively implementing awareness and sensitisation campaigns in educational institutions on the harmful effect of tobacco use, including vaping. The programmes aim to educate students on both the health risk and the legal implications associated with tobacco products and vaping. Sensitisation activities include – • school-based awareness sessions and talks; • collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource and other stakeholders, and • development of informational materials, including a pamphlet on vaping, currently under preparation by the Tobacco Control Unit. From January 2025 to date, a total of 662 awareness sessions has been conducted on the ill effects smoking and vaping, reaching an estimated 7,556 students across primary schools, secondary schools and Mauritius Institute of Training and Development institutions. In addition, my Ministry, in collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office, the World Health Organisation and local NGOs, has been conducting regular training sessions on tobacco regulations since 2023 to strengthen enforcement capacity. I am also informed that mass media campaigns were conducted in 2024 with the emphasis on tobacco regulation and the ban on vaping. In 2025, six Health Information, Education and Communication Officers were trained on tobacco-related issues, including vaping. Additionally, vaping was addressed as part of tobacco cessation efforts and six radio and television programmes in 2025. I would like to inform the House that for 2026, my Ministry will be holding a campaign focusing on the harmful effects on tobacco use with particular emphasis on illicit vaping and capacity building workshops. A training workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource will be held to further raise awareness on the consequences of tobacco and nicotine consumption with a specific focus on vaping. New sensitisation materials are currently being developed to address vaping among students and the general population. My Ministry is also collaborating, through a standing committee, with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource to revise the School Management Manual (2009) so as to incorporate vaping as a key component of tobacco control policies in schools.

The hon. First Member for Piton & Rivière du Rempart! PAEDIATRIC WARDS – PARENT’S PRESENCE POLICY