Responsible Vaping Ireland warns that proposed vape ban could increase smoking rates
Bypassing of due process to rush in new laws risks devastating small businesses and driving adults back to smoking, warns Ireland’s leading trade association for vape retailers
Print7 May 2025
Following the establishment of the new Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health, Responsible Vaping Ireland (RVI), the national trade association for vaping retailers, recently wrote to the committee chairperson and all committee members urging them to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of the Public Health (Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2025.
The Bill proposes sweeping changes to how vaping products are regulated in Ireland, including a complete ban on flavoured vapes, the introduction of plain packaging, and a total prohibition on the in-store display and advertising of vaping products.
RVI opposition
RVI argues that such significant measures should not proceed without detailed examination by Oireachtas members and meaningful engagement with key stakeholders.
The previous Health Committee’s decision to bypass pre-legislative scrutiny has been used by the new Government to press forward with far-reaching legislation, which risks pushing ex-smokers back to cigarettes and shuttering small retailers across the country.
The new government has picked up a draft bill published before Christmas and is rushing publication of a full bill without referring it to the new Health Committee, taking advantage of the delays in appointing Oireachtas Committees following a long dispute over opposition speaking rights for Independent TDs.
RVI believes it is critical that due process is followed in enacting such far reaching legislation, particularly when the Regulatory Impact Assessment of the Bill failed to consider the impact of the proposed measures on SMEs.
Pre-legislative scrutiny is an essential part of the work of Oireachtas Committees, ensuring different perspectives are heard and that the best available international evidence is considered when creating new laws.
“Legislation involving changes of this scale must be evidence-based and carefully considered—not rushed through the Oireachtas without informed debate,” said Lorraine Carolan, national spokesperson for Responsible Vaping Ireland.
“In countries where similar bans have been introduced, such as Denmark and Estonia, we’ve seen rising smoking rates and a surge in black market vapes, which has in some cases led to new laws actually being reversed.”
Data clearly demonstrates that vaping is an important tool to help people quit smoking.
Healthy Ireland’s 2023 survey found that 25% of those who had quit smoking used vapes to do so.
Carolan continued: “We fully support responsible regulation of the vaping industry. However, there must be balance—evidence shows that blanket bans on vaping products often do more harm than good.”
“With over 300 independent vape shops operating across Ireland and hundreds of people employed in the sector, this legislation will undoubtedly place both businesses and livelihoods at risk,” she added.
RVI is calling on the TDs and Senators serving on the Oireachtas Health Committee to give the Bill the thorough scrutiny it requires and to consult widely with stakeholders.
Read more: Vape excise tax – new opportunities for smugglers
© 2025, ShelfLife by Ryan Brennan
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