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.
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May 03, 2024 by irishexaminer.com
Parents of children as young as 10 calling national helpline over vaping concerns
Parentline reports a significant increase in calls from worried parents about vaping and e-cigarettes among children, with 76 calls in the first four months of this year compared to 10 last year. Some parents believe vaping is causing anxiety in their children. The rise in anxiety-related calls is also linked to school-related stress and challenges reintegrating post-Covid. The charity emphasizes concerns about children showing anger and aggression towards parents. The HSE warns of mental health issues associated with e-cigarette use. Parentline operates a national helpline for parenting support, receiving calls on a variety of issues.
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.