Our call to action

Over 200,000 Irish consumers to date, have made the choice to switch to vaping in order to help reduce smoking.

As part of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2019, there are moves afoot to introduce restrictions to the choice of vaping products currently available to Irish adults which could result in consumers moving back towards smoking after making the switch to vaping.

For years we’ve been calling on Government to make the sale of vaping products to under 18’s illegal, both to protect young people and to create an environment in which it is fully understood that vaping products are for adult smokers.

Many users of vaping products now feel that...

"...their choice to switch from smoking
to vaping is not being respected at a political level.”

Switch to vaping

There is extensive research into the role vaping can play as an alternative to smoking.

Unlike other nicotine-delivery systems, vaping mimics the hand-to-mouth motion of smoking. This behavioural characteristic of vaping often helps smokers in their journey to switch from cigarettes.

Likewise, the range of nicotine strengths and e-liquid flavours available with vaping products means that users can customise the product, so it best suits their needs during their journey to switch.

Public Health England has found that “e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful to your health than normal cigarettes.”

Vaping has been found to be the second most important tool for those looking to switch from smoking (second only after willpower alone) and a study by Queen Mary University London found vaping products to be “more effective for smoking cessation than nicotine replacement therapy.”

Facts vs Myths

Get the truth on vaping products

There are several commonly held misconceptions about vaping products.
See how these untruths are debunked by drawing upon independently verifiable facts.

Who vapes in Ireland

Source: 2019 Healthy Ireland Survey

Frequently asked questions

What is a vaping product?
Vaping products are a stand-alone category comprising different types of devices; from battery operated devices with either built in (single use) or replaceable cartridges or pods to hold the liquid to be vaporized and inhaled, to pen style devices with refillable tanks that are refilled with separate bottles of the liquid. Vaping products have a heating element that atomizes the liquid solution also known as e-liquid. These products may or may not contain nicotine.
What is our view on under 18’s vaping?
For years we’ve been calling on Government to make the sale of vaping products to under 18’s illegal, both to protect young people and to create an environment in which it is fully understood that vaping products are for adult smokers.
How many adult vapers are there in Ireland?
Vaping has reached an all-time high in popularity in Ireland. According to the Department of Health’s Healthy Ireland Survey (October 2019), 5 per cent of the population use vaping products representing some 200,000 people and a further 12 per cent have tried them at some point.
What is the difference between vaping products and smoking?
Vaping products are nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems that do not contain tobacco, where a liquid is delivered orally to the user in the form of vapour rather than in the form of smoke. Vaping products are not cigarettes as they do not contain tobacco.
What is Vape Business Ireland (VBI)?
VBI is the largest vaping trade body in Ireland. It represents the interests of its members to a range of stakeholders.
What is tobacco harm reduction?
Tobacco harm reduction is a public health strategy that makes use of regulation, fiscal measures, communications and support services to reduce the harms associated with tobacco or nicotine use.
What is in e-liquid?
This is the liquid used in the cartridges of vaping products, which generally has three major components. These include an agent to produce a vapor; nicotine; and flavourings. There are two types of agents that can be used to create vapor. These are Propylene Glycol (PG) which is the more common agent and Vegetable Glycerin (VG) which is usually used by people with allergies or sensitivity to PG. E-liquids are available in different strength levels of nicotine ranging form zero nicotine up to 4.8 per cent nicotine.
Is Vitamin E acetate in Irish products?
Vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent added to cannabis vaping liquid, is banned in all Irish-regulated nicotine vaping products under EU legislation. The ingredients that make up all Irish regulated vaping products must be provided to the HSE, with detailed information including chemical studies and risk assessments. These regulations act as an important barrier to any products that do not adhere to EU standards entering the Irish market.

Membership of Vape Business Ireland is open to commercial entities with an interest in the vaping sector in the Republic of Ireland. Membership is conditional upon provision of requested documentation relating to the applicant and to approval by the other members of the association.

If you are interested in becoming a member, email us:
info@vapebusinessireland.ie

Vape Business Ireland Members

  • Techmate
  • Moonwolf Vape
  • Elite Vapour
  • The Vape Escape
  • VapeVend
  • Direct 2U Ecigs
  • Exhale Vapour

Our campaign aims

We ask for consumer’s choice to switch from smoking to vaping be respected. Over 200,000 Irish consumers to date, have made the choice to switch to vaping in order to help reduce smoking.

We wish to see more evidence-based policy making which in turn will allow for more evidence-based regulation of vaping products in Ireland, providing consumer choice to well-regulated market. In that regard, we are calling on Government to deliver effective, evidence-based and balanced regulation of vaping products.

We believe that vaping products must be regulated in a responsible manner while upholding the principles of consumer choice for adults, particularly for adult smokers who wish to find a less harmful alternative.

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