While some restrictions on vaping were placed as part of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhalation Products) Bill, the impending tax on the products has been repealed.
Ireland’s Finance Minister Michael McGrath has decided to postpone the impending implementation of a vape tax due to concerns that it could discourage smokers from using e-cigarettes as a tool to quit smoking . Finance and Health Ministry officials have expressed the need to strike a balance, discouraging young people from using e-cigarettes while supporting current smokers to use vapes to transition away from traditional cigarettes.
The World Vapers Alliance (WVA) has praised the decision and called on the Irish Government to maintain different tax rates for vapes and cigarettes. WVA Director Michael Landl stressed that the risk profile of vaping products is significantly lower than that of combustible cigarettes and that taxes must be linked to the risk of the product to encourage smokers to switch to safer alternatives.
Why vape taxes are counterproductive
Research has shown that increasing the vape tax could lead to higher smoking rates, especially among young people. The Irish Ministry of Finance has also expressed concerns about vapers turning to the black market if the tax is implemented. The tax has been postponed without a specific date as the government awaits an EU framework to facilitate its implementation. The EU Tobacco Tax Directive update is expected to include an EU-wide excise tax on vaping products.
In line with the above, Landl stressed that taxing vaping products in the same way as cigarettes would have a negative impact on public health by potentially pushing vapers back to smoking or the black market , while discouraging smokers from making the switch. He recommended that other countries and the EU follow Ireland’s example and not implement a vape tax.
Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhalation Products) Bill
Meanwhile, as of December 21, a new law in Ireland makes it illegal to sell vapes to anyone under 18. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has received Cabinet approval for the measure, which carries penalties of up to €4,000 in fines and up to six months in prison for breaches. The age restoration is part of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhalation Products) Bill, which also bans the sale of tobacco and nicotine products at children's events and the supply of these items.
In addition to banning sales to minors, the legislation also introduces a strict licensing system, prohibits advertising for these products around schools and on public transport, and gives additional enforcement powers to the Environmental Health Service. Comprehensive measures aimed at tackling adult smoking and vaping while protecting minors.
Health Minister Donnelly expressed his gratitude for the support in passing the bill and pledged to commence the remaining measures that are part of the bill (namely advertising regulation and the licensing system) in 2024. He added that the outcome of a public consultation on further vaping and tobacco control measures would be addressed.
Effective methods
Meanwhile, countries like Sweden and the UK have achieved low smoking rates through successful tobacco harm reduction strategies, supporting the use of safer nicotine alternatives like snus and vaping.
The availability and promotion of less harmful alternatives, along with educational campaigns, have played a key role in the success of these countries . This approach recognises that nicotine itself is not the main harm, focusing instead on reducing the risks associated with combustible tobacco use.
Ireland Discards Proposed Vape Tax in the Name of Tobacco Harm Reduction - Vaping Post
