Vape Business Ireland has rebranded to Responsible Vaping Ireland, and it has renewed its focus on vaping as an alternative to smoking, warning against unnecessary regulation.
For the past decade, the association has argued for sensible vaping regulation that reflects the attitudes of responsible retailers and ensures that the vaping market maintains high standards of sale and product quality.
Members have had to obey a code of conduct that forbids them from selling vapes to under-18s, prior to its inclusion in law last year.
Responsible Vaping Ireland welcomed the passing of the 2023 Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act, which banned the sale of vapes to minors.
The organisation also believes that vaping should be promoted as an alternative to smoking.
Based on an analysis of data by Healthy Ireland surveys, vaping has helped over 200,000 Irish adults quit smoking to date.
The most recent of these surveys – in 2023 – found that some 25% of those who had quit smoking used vapes to do so.
However, proposed legislation plans sweeping restrictions on vaping with flavours, packaging, and disposable vapes, and plans to have the products banned outright or heavily restricted.
All major political parties promised to move ahead with the legislation if elected, prompting Responsible Vaping Ireland to call on members to contact their local candidates and highlight the potential impact of the restrictions on their businesses.
‘Worrying Lack Of Clarity’
Commenting on the announcement, Responsible Vaping Ireland spokesperson Paul Malone said, “The clue is in the name – Responsible Vaping Ireland upholds the highest standards of retail in our sales.
“Our members stuck to a policy of not selling to under-18s long before this became law nationwide.
“We are firm in our belief that vaping should be for adults looking to quit smoking.
“The vaping market in Ireland has grown rapidly over the past decade, becoming a highly valuable retail segment for local retailers across the country.
“While there are over 3,300 retailers selling vaping products in Ireland, there is a worrying lack of clarity on the number of other retailers, such as mobile phone accessory stores who may be selling vapes.
“What we reject, however, is the idea that regulating every aspect of vaping will have a positive effect on both health and retailers.
“Recent efforts at restricting vapes around the world – namely Australia, Denmark and Estonia – have either resulted in smoking rates going up or black-market trade damaging small retailers who are committed to responsible regulation.
“We are willing and able to work with the future government to uphold standards and drive sensible vaping regulation.”
Responsible Vaping Ireland has called for greater enforcement of the underage ban and inspections of products as the future of vaping regulation, as opposed to overregulation that damages small retailers and increases smoking rates.
