Smoking in Ireland
In Ireland, smoking is legally allowed but controlled by comprehensive tobacco control regulations. Cigarettes are regulated as tobacco products and are permitted for sale and use with some restrictions. They may be purchased through retail outlets, online platforms, and vending machines. The importation of cigarettes for trade is allowed with a license. However, health warnings on packaging are mandatory, the minimum legal age for purchase is 18 years, and there are legal restrictions on smoking in public places. In addition, a complete ban on all tobacco advertising is in force. Cigarettes in Ireland are subject to an excise tax of 48.53% and a total taxation rate of 76.06%. Despite these regulatory and control measures, smoking continues to contribute to the national health burden. In 2024, there were approximately 730,000 current smokers in Ireland, representing an adult smoking prevalence of 17.2%. In the same year, prevalence was higher among males (20%) than females (14.6%). This prevalence was recorded to be 18.2% in 2022. In 2023, the adult daily tobacco smoking prevalence was 14%, with an estimated 675,956 daily smokers. In 2021, smoking caused 3,836 deaths in Ireland, including 2,291 deaths among males and 1,546 among females. Overall, tobacco smoking resulted in 11.89% of all deaths in 2021, representing 13.62% of male deaths and 10.01% of female deaths. These statistics underscore the continued public health impact of smoking cigarette in Ireland.
Read articles from Ireland
September 05, 2022 by news-medical.net
Teenagers influenced by smoking parents to start using e-cigarettes, research says
Teenagers whose parents are smokers are 55% more likely to try e-cigarettes, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress in Barcelona, Spain. In a large study of Irish teenagers, the researchers have also found that the proportion who have tried e-cigarettes has been increasing dramatically and that although boys are more likely to use e-cigarettes, the rate of use among girls in increasing more rapidly.
The researchers highlight the risks associated with nicotine addiction and call for more effective regulation to protect children and teenagers.
August 04, 2022 by irishexaminer.com
Youngsters who vape five times more likely to start smoking
Young people who use e-cigarettes are up to five times as likely to begin smoking tobacco cigarettes, according to new research.
The results of a project undertaken by the Health Research Board (HRB) show that users of e-cigarettes — the formal term for vaping products — are between three and five times “more likely to start smoking tobacco cigarettes compared to those who never used e-cigarettes".
The HRB report, for which more than 360 published studies about e-cigarettes and health were scrutinised, further states that e-cigarettes are “no more effective” than medically approved and regulated nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches, at helping people stop smoking.
August 03, 2022 by dublinlive.ie
Dublin professor concerned for young people as vaping promoted on TikTok
A Dublin professor has expressed his concern for young people as he says that vaping is being promoted on TikTok.
Professor Des Cox, chair of Royal College of Physicians Policy Group on Tobacco is worried about the increasing trend of vaping in young people under the age of 18 and he believes that social media is playing a part in it. He told RTE Radio One: “There’s a big issue with the marketing of disposable vapes and the most common form of advertising for people in a recent study was through TikTok. Manufacturers' tactics are that they’re trying to get young people hooked on these devices. That’s what’s concerning.”
August 01, 2022 by thejournal.ie
Opinion: E-cigarettes are not part of the solution to a tobacco free Ireland
LAST WEEK, THE JOURNAL published the opinion article “why are we waging war on e-cigarettes when they help smokers quit”. I have been given the opportunity to explain why this is a war that should be pursued.
In 2013, the government launched a bold plan for Ireland to become Tobacco Free by reducing the prevalence of tobacco smoking to 5% by 2025. As of 2021, 18% of the Irish adult population are current smokers so we will not meet this ambitious target.
The opinion piece last week argued that Ireland needs to embrace e-cigarettes as a way to help more people quit tobacco but is there evidence to support such an approach?
July 22, 2022 by thejournal.ie
GP: Why are we waging a war on e-cigarettes when they help smokers quit?
THE JOINT COMMITTEE on Health published its report this week on pre-legislative scrutiny of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2019. A number of recommendations were made including a ban on all flavours added to electronic cigarettes (other than tobacco flavour).
The rationale given was that flavours attract young people and that removing their availability would be less appealing to adolescents and this would curtail their use. The report also states that “tobacco costs the Irish exchequer €10.6 billion every year and that 6,000 deaths a year are caused as a result of smoking”. [...]
July 18, 2022 by independent.ie
Irish Heart Foundation backs calls for banning of flavoured e-cigarettes
The Irish Heart Foundation has endorsed measures that would ban flavoured e-cigarettes and marketing techniques aimed at encouraging young people to take up vaping.
The charity said it has lobbied extensively to have four sweeping recommendations included in a pre-legislative scrutiny report for the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill that was published this weekend. One of the key recommendations in the Oireachtas Health Committee’s report is a prohibition on the flavouring of all vapes, except tobacco.
“Vape manufacturers clearly use flavours – and research has identified thousands of them – that they know will attract minors,” said Mark Murphy [...]
April 13, 2022 by thetimes.co.uk
Vapers in Ireland think flavour ban would create a black market, survey shows
More than nine in ten users of e-cigarettes in Ireland would not favour an outright ban on flavoured vapes, a new survey has found.
The research, conducted by Red C, a market researcher in Dublin, was carried out through 221 face-to-face surveys last month. The survey found that nearly half of vapers would stop vaping altogether if a flavour ban was introduced. It’s believed more than 200,000 people are vape users in Ireland. About 84 per cent of vapers believe a flavours ban would create a black market for the products, while a majority — 59 per cent — said they would source the products abroad or online. [...]
March 01, 2022 by irishtimes.com
All tobacco product sales should be banned to people under 21, Oireachtas to hear
All tobacco products including vaping products should be banned for sale to people under the age of 21, the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland (RCPI) will argue at an Oireachtas Committee on Tuesday.
The all-party committee on Health is discussing the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2019 and will hear submissions from the RCPI, [...]
In its opening statement, the RCPI will argue that vaping be subject to similar stringent restrictions as smoking products. It will set out a case for increasing the minimum age for the sale of tobacco products (including vaping products) from 18 to 21.
February 15, 2022 by independent.ie
Flavour ban on e-cigarettes could damage anti-smoking drive, Oireachtas health committee told
A flavour ban on e-cigarettes could damage tobacco harm reduction and consumer choice, the Oireachtas health committee was told today.
Declan Connolly of the Irish Vape Vendors Association (UVVA) said e-liquid flavours are of” vital importance to vapers.”
" IVVA is deeply concerned by the negative effects a flavour ban could have on tobacco harm reduction and consumer choice. A survey carried out by the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA) in 2020 found that to nearly 65pc of vapers vaped fruit or sweet e-liquids on a daily basis.
February 09, 2022 by tobaccoreporter.com
Ulster Bans Smoking in Cars with Children
Northern Ireland has banned smoking in a car with children, bringing its laws in line with other regions of the United Kingdom, reports the BBC.
Violators face fines of up to £2,500 ($3,391), but police will be taking an educational, advisory and non-confrontational approach when enforcing the new legislation until the end of February 2022.
It is already illegal to smoke on public transport or to smoke in work vehicles used by more than one person in Northern Ireland.
Chief Inspector Graham Dodds said people caught smoking in cars with children would initially be given warnings rather than fines, giving time for public awareness of the offences to build.