VApril 2021 campaign supports the State’s objective of a Tobacco Free Ireland
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Vape Business Ireland (VBI), Ireland’s largest vaping trade association, has announced its support of the annual VApril campaign to help smokers make the transition to vaping. Now in its fourth year, VBI has described VApril as a vital messaging tool to help drive down Ireland’s smoking rate in line with State’s objective of a Tobacco Free Ireland.
Commenting VBI spokesperson, James Doran said: “VApril represents a fantastic opportunity for Irish smokers to engage with vaping experts, find out more about what is involved in making the transition, and join the 200,000 plus people who have already made the switch according to Healthy Ireland. The 17 per cent of Irish people who currently smoke must be provided the full facts and guidance on the benefits of switching to less harmful alternatives like vaping.
“As we await the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2019 to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas Committee in Health, we once again call on the HSE Quit Team and the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly to not allow Ireland to further lag behind other jurisdictions such as New Zealand and the UK, which have adopted vaping as part of policy efforts to successfully reduce smoking rates.”
Mr Doran added: “A major Cochrane Review conducted in December 2020 showed that vaping is two and half times more effective than nicotine replacement therapy. Throughout VApril, vaping product retailers like myself remain on hand and well equipped to support smokers, offering expert advice, address the false myths around vaping, and help ensure a successful switch.”
VApril is a global month-long awareness campaign coordinated by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA). Smokers can visit the dedicated online hub www.vapril.org which provides a special guide, the ‘Switch on to Vaping Plan’, to help them make a successful switch to vape products and in doing so break their smoking habits. They can also access information and expert advice covering vape devices, flavours, and nicotine levels.
