Smoking in Ireland
18% of the population are current smokers, with 14% daily smokers and 4% occasional smokers. These figures are the same as those reported in 2021-2022. Smoking is higher amongst men (21%) than women (15%) and higher amongst those who are unemployed or have not completed the Leaving Certificate. 33% of the population are ex-smokers. 49% of those who have smoked in the past year have attempted to quit smoking, with 23% of this group successfully quitting smoking. 58% used willpower alone, 25% used e-cigarettes, and 19% used nicotine replacement therapy. 8% of the population currently use e-cigarettes either daily (5%) or occasionally (3%), with a further 12% reporting they have tried them in the past but no longer use them. In 2022, 6% were current users of e-cigarettes. A fifth (20%) of women aged 15-24 use e-cigarettes either daily or occasionally; the rate for men of the same age group is 16%. Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2023. (2023, November 22). Department of Health. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/73c9d-healthy-ireland-survey-2023/#smoking For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.
Read articles from Ireland
April 25, 2024 by irishmirror.ie
Calls for Government to raise minimum age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21
A cancer researcher suggests raising the tobacco purchase age in Ireland to 21 to combat smoking rates. The European Cancer Organisation reports that smoking-related deaths are high in Ireland, urging for a 'Tobacco 21' approach. The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland backs this, showing that raising the legal age could cut smoking rates among teens and young adults. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly supports this change to discourage minors from smoking. The initiative aims to protect younger age groups from the harmful effects of smoking. Ireland is urged to implement stricter tobacco regulations to create a smoke-free generation and reduce smoking-related deaths.
March 27, 2024 by vapingpost.com
More Data Indicating The Negative Consequences of Vape Flavour Bans
A survey in Ireland found that 75% of ex-smokers believe banning flavoured vapes would increase youth smoking. 90% of vapers fear a black market would emerge if flavours were banned. Experts argue that vape flavours aid smoking cessation, with 98% of ex-smokers crediting vaping for quitting. Restrictions could push vapers back to smoking and discourage smokers from switching. Vetoed bans, like in Florida, risk blocking safer alternatives for smokers. Studies show flavoured vapes help adults quit smoking better than tobacco flavours. Experts urge careful consideration of the impact of flavour bans on smoking rates and public health.
March 20, 2024 by independent.ie
One in five vapers would return to smoking habit if flavours banned, survey says
More than 75pc of vapers say a ban of flavouring could lead to more young people smoking, with one in five ex-smokers saying they would also pick the habit back up if flavours were banned. It has been an offence to sell a nicotine-inhaling product to someone under the age of 18 since December, with Government plans for a restriction on the use of flavouring set to follow. A new survey from Red C Research and Marketing shows 90pc of vapers surveyed believe an overall ban could lead to a black market for flavoured vapes. Almost half said they would source flavours from outside Ireland if it was introduced, with 71pc believing smokers would be less inclined to take up vaping to quit.
March 18, 2024 by independent.ie
One in five vapers would return to smoking habit if flavours banned, survey says
More than 75pc of vapers say a ban of flavouring could lead to more young people smoking, with one in five ex-smokers saying they would also pick the habit back up if flavours were banned. It has been an offence to sell a nicotine-inhaling product to someone under the age of 18 since December, with Government plans for a restriction on the use of flavouring set to follow. A new survey from Red C Research and Marketing shows 90pc of vapers surveyed believe an overall ban could lead to a black market for flavoured vapes.
February 07, 2024 by echolive.ie
Banning disposable vapes is needed on heath and environmental grounds, says Cork TD
A Cork TD has said a ban on the sale of disposable vapes is needed “both on health and environmental grounds”. Fine Gael spokesperson for health Colm Burke said that while vaping was initially introduced as a means to wean smokers off cigarettes, the alarming surge in the use of disposable vapes by under 18s is “hugely concerning”. “Instead of acting as a means of assisting adults with nicotine addiction, they are acting as a pathway to tobacco use,” said Mr Burke.
January 31, 2024 by filtermag.org
Will Ireland’s Public Vape Consultation Trigger Bans?
A public consultation to help determine the future of vaping in Ireland has come to an end. The results aren’t yet known, but tobacco harm reduction advocates are nervous about the potential outcomes. The consultation, conducted by the Department of Health, began in November 2023 and ended on January 5. It asked the public to participate in a survey, picking from different measures to “decrease the appeal of nicotine inhaling products to young people, further denormalize smoking, and improve public health.”
January 22, 2024 by vapingpost.com
Ireland Discards Proposed Vape Tax in the Name of Tobacco Harm Reduction
The Irish Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, has decided to postpone the implementation of an imminent vape tax due to concerns that it might discourage smokers from using e-cigarettes as a tool to quit smoking. Officials from the Department of Finance and the Department of Health expressed the need to strike a balance, discouraging young people from vaping while supporting existing smokers using vapes to transition away from traditional cigarettes.
January 12, 2024 by westmeathexaminer.ie
Free nicotine replacement therapy from the HSE
January is a popular time for people to try to stop smoking. Many try to quit alone without supports and therapies that can give the best chance of quitting, such as stop smoking medications. The HSE is here to help you quit by providing free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) along with other tried and tested supports. Dr Paul Kavanagh, HSE Public Health Medicine Consultant Lead with the Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, explains how NRT is safe and effective: “NRT are tightly regulated medicinal products which are overseen by the Health Products Regulatory Agency (HPRA) in Ireland.
January 09, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
Irish Government Pauses New Vape Tax
The Irish Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has postponed the implementation of a vaping tax over concerns that it would discourage smokers who use e-cigarettes to quit smoking. Officials from the Department of Finance announced the step back in a pre-budget submission, noting that “a delicate balance needed to be struck”. Chris Macey, Director of Advocacy at the Irish Heart Foundation originally celebrated news of a potential tax on vapes back in 2023, saying: “Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on the planet and there has been an explosion in youth use of e-cigarettes that has been further fuelled by the advent of disposable vapes. We can’t afford to wait a moment longer than necessary to impose this tax.
December 22, 2023 by irishexaminer.com
Ban on sale of vapes and e-cigarettes to children to come into effect from Friday
The ban on the sale of e-cigarettes or vapes to children in Ireland comes into force [...] the Government has announced. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly secured Cabinet approval for the move earlier this year. The measure was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins earlier this month. From then on, it will be an offence to sell a nicotine inhaling product to someone under the age of 18. The offence will carry a penalty of a fine of up to €4,000 and a prison sentence of up to six months. The new bill also contains a number of wide-ranging measures aimed at tackling the issue of smoking and vaping among adults.
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