Irish smokers, who quit by switching to vaping, are fuming that politicians continue to deny the benefits of vaping products in tobacco harm reduction. We believe the ‘smoke and mirrors approach by ‘old guard’ is stubbing out progress in tobacco control.
In March, the Central Statistics Office reported an extra 140 million cigarettes were smoked in Ireland in 2020. This reflects the Government’s failure to listen to people who have quit smoking by using vaping products vapers.
“Over 200,000 people in Ireland have quit smoking, thanks to vaping. According to the Government’s own research -Healthy Ireland -, 99% of vapers are ex-smokers.
Vaping products are strictly regulated in Europe and Ireland and 70% more effective in supporting smokers to successfully quit than patches, sprays and gums.
“It is time the politicians stopped hiding behind the ‘smoke screen’ of inaccuracies. They need to stop ‘bad-mouthing’ vaping and listen to those who have quit cigarettes through vaping.”
Vapers in Ireland are not the only ones saying this. Mr. David Jones a Member of Parliament in the UK led a Westminster Hall debate, in March, on reduced risk smoking products and proposals for a smoke free society by 2030.
He said that we must ultimately give smokers the best possible chance of moving away from cigarettes and eliminate the use of harmful combustible products by 2030.
The MP, who is a an honorary life fellow of Cancer Research UK, said that rather than focusing solely on the elimination of cigarette smoking, it is important to implement a new regulatory framework.
This would not only create further barriers to cigarette smoking, but also encourages smokers to transition to less harmful non-combustible alternatives. This requires a concerted campaign to highlight the benefits of e-cigarettes.
If the Government fails to take on board the experience of over 200,000 people, most of whom are ex-smokers, it will fail to reflect what’s best for Irish citizens.
