Irish regulated vaping products subject to strict HSE controls

Vape Business Ireland (VBI), reiterates that vaping products in Ireland are subject to strict regulations controlled by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The association is reacting to research released this week by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) on the danger of vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent added to THC-based vape liquids which are mainly found in the United States and are illegal in Ireland.

Responding to the findings, VBI said: “Vitamin E acetate 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.

“We welcome research that helps improve safety standards of vaping products. But there is a risk that the findings issued by the RCSI will add to the false fears and misinformation around vaping, preventing smokers from using vaping products to switch from smoking. Vaping has helped thousands of Irish smokers transition to alternatives, and smokers considering vaping should be reassured vaping products in Ireland are subject to robust HSE regulations.”

According to the 2019 Healthy Ireland Survey, released by the Department of Health in November 2019, there are now over 240,000 vapers in Ireland, with 13 per cent of ex-smokers using e-cigarettes. It is the view of VBI that vaping has a significant role to play in achieving the State’s objective of a Tobacco Free Ireland by 2025.