Vape Business Ireland calls on government to drop plans to ban flavoured and disposable vapes
A recent public consultation reveals strong opposition to the proposed regulations, with 62.8% of respondents against regulation of vape flavours
Print27 August 2024
Vape Business Ireland (VBI), the national trade association for vaping retailers, has called on Government to abandon plans to ban flavoured and disposable vapes, following the overwhelming rejection of these proposals from the public, according to the Department of Health Report on Public Consultation on Further Regulation of Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products.
Proposals to introduce further regulation on vaping products were put to the public via a consultation held last winter.
It asked the public for its views on regulation on matters such as flavours, packaging and point-of-sale advertising following comments from Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly that he wanted to “come down like a tonne of bricks” on the vaping industry and ban flavoured and disposable vapes, as well as all packaging and the display of vapes at the point of sale.
He has promised to bring a new draft bill on vaping before Government in the early autumn.
Public consultation
The public consultation came on foot of the Department of Health’s Healthy Ireland survey for 2023, which found that one in four Irish people who successfully quit smoking used vapes to get off cigarettes, more than any other smoking cessation tool including nicotine gums and sprays.
The report of the consultation shows that the Irish public has a different view on these issues.
Key findings include:
- 62.8% of respondents were against the regulation of flavours.
- 33.3% of respondents supported the display of vaping products behind the counter.
- 57.9% of respondents opposed restrictions on smoking being extended to vaping.
Impact on retailers
In its submission to the consultation last December, VBI also expressed concerns about the impact the Government’s proposals would have on retailers.
Vaping products are sold in more than 3,200 retail stores nationwide (nearly 60% of which are local convenience stores) and make up 2.5% of overall turnover of local convenience stores, carrying a high margin compared to other products like lottery tickets.
They have a role to play in supporting the Irish economy as well as helping adult smokers to quit smoking.
“The vaping market in Ireland is well regulated, and as a responsible retailer, I agree that there are some further steps the Government could take to ensure vapes don’t wind up in the hands of under 18s,” said Paul Malone, National spokesperson, VBI.
Significant public opposition
The publishing of the public consultation report, however, points to significant public opposition to the Government’s plans to ban flavours as well as commentary in parallel from Minister Donnelly to ban single use vapes.
“There is little evidence that a ban on flavours would lead to positive public health outcomes but lots of evidence – from around Europe and elsewhere – that banning flavours could lead to an increase in the black market and drive people back to smoking.”
Malone notes that while there are understandable concerns about certain types of flavours with youth-appealing names and overtly youth-appealing packaging that feature cartoons, it is important that some flavours such as fruit and menthol flavours remain available to adult smokers.
“Research has found that 95% of people use flavours and that 20% of former smokers would return to smoking if flavours were banned.”
VBI report
A recent report published by VBI outlined key recommendations to the Irish Government for further regulation of the sector.
“Supporting local retailers, helping smokers to quit: a blueprint for sensible vaping regulation in Ireland” called on the Irish Government to:
1.) Recognise the reduced risk profile of vapes when creating further regulation and avoid extreme measures like a complete ban on point-of-sale display, which would falsely equate vapes with cigarettes and deter smokers from making the switch, while also hurting the livelihoods of small retailers.
2.) Recognise the role of fruit and menthol flavours in helping Irish adults to quit smoking, but consider introducing measures like a ban on packaging with youth-appealing images like cartoons and toys, and ban flavours that resemble candy, desserts, energy drinks or soft drinks.
3.) Roll out a retail licensing system for the sale of vapes, with penalties for those who sell vapes to under 18s. This would mean that there is a HSE managed database of every retailer authorised to sell vapes and would provide much needed oversight of outlets like mobile phone accessory shops, to ensure they are compliant with the law.
4.) Introduce a low excise on vaping products in Ireland, to improve the oversight and administration of vaping products and clamp down on unsafe product and black market activity.
Read more: Ban vape flavours and images that target underage, urges major Irish vaping company
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