…but the vote needs to have our voice
Please let yourTDs know of the dangers of banning all flavours.
A county-by-county analysis shows that 58,080 adult vapers nationwide would return to smoking if the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill proceeds with a ban on all vape flavours except tobacco.
The findings raise serious concerns about the public-health consequences of the proposed legislation, particularly the risk of ex-smokers returning to cigarettes, which remain the leading cause of 6,000 preventable deaths in Ireland every year.
You’re getting the discussion started…
Thanks to you raising these matters with your TDs, these concerns were raised in a Dail debate on 4 March:
David Cullinane TD said the Minister of State should bear in mind that vaping is a cessation tool for some people to move away from smoking and what we do not want is that those people would go back to smoking if the only option is a tobacco-flavoured vape.
“I have engaged with many vape smokers and they tell me that if the ban was to apply to all flavours with the exception of tobacco, that would be a problem for them. If you have a different flavour that is not targeted at children but is being used by adults, that might be a step too far.”
Padraig Rice TD, Chairperson of the Health Committee said there is potential to limit it to maybe two flavours, or menthol, mint or something else, in order to ensure that people use vapes as a cessation tool. He was also highly critical of the Government’s decision to rush legislation on vapes through the Dáil without proper review by the Health Committee.
…but the vote needs to have our voice
The Government should focus on restricting youth access, rather than removing the flavours that help adults quit smoking as it will undo years of progress in reducing Ireland’s smoking rate.
Former smokers actively avoid tobacco-flavoured vapes. Banning key flavours including menthol and fruits, which help adults stay off cigarettes, hands a lifeline back to the cigarette trade and drives consumers into a €220 million illicit vape market.
More than 200,000 vapers in Ireland have quit smoking, with flavours playing a critical role in smoking cessation. Red C research shows that 73% of adult vapers say fruit flavours help them stay off cigarettes, while nine in ten former smokers say vaping helped them quit. Almost 80% report that flavoured vapes were more effective than nicotine patches or gum.
Make sure your local TDs know of the dangers of banning all flavours
Scanning from a desktop? Use your phone camera to take action instantly.
Already written to your local TD?
The next step is to phone or visit their constituency office.
Want to get more involved in our campaign to save flavours?
Email us at info@respectvapers.ie
