Ireland Faces E-Liquid Flavour Ban

In a dangerous precedent, the Irish government has approved plans to completely ban disposable vapes and impose harsh regulations which will govern the flavours available.

Residents in Ireland face harsh impositions on their status as vape device users. In a public health driven scheme, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has brought his plans to the government and had them approved. With all else failing, Ireland looks set to face a massive blow to the smoking cessation forum.

Key Takeaways:

• Ireland faces disposable vape ban
• Flavour restrictions on most available e-liquids will come into force
• Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is Driving the Scheme
• Health minister claims vapes being marketed and sold to children as reasoning for this rash decision

Stephen Donnelly Presents Disposable and Flavour Vape Ban

Speaking to the press, Donnelly said that the bill he had brought forward would see a full ban on disposable vape devices. He further commented that the ban would see only a single flavour of vape juice left on Irish shelves. We presume this flavour will be tobacco.

The Health Minister of Ireland then said that the bright images and colourful packaging of vape devices attracted children – as did flavours such as bubblegum. He added that the environmental aspect of banning disposable vapes was also important, although this seemed to be an afterthought.

Ireland Vape Groups Strike Back

The move caused immediate backlash within the vaping community in Ireland. Advocacy agencies resorted to the clinical trials, statistics, and surveys, to point out the erroneous nature of the Health Minister’s claims.

While packaging may be brightly coloured and flavours such as bubblegum do exist – they are clearly not for sale to children. Conversely, a recent survey showed that around 25% of all adults in Ireland who had successfully quit smoking did so with vape devices. That’s one fifth of the ex-smokers – more than any other Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Even the recent Cochrane Review of over 70 studies found a high certainty of evidence that vaping is the most effective NRT.

In fact, vaping has proven again and again in trials that it is the most effective form of NRT.

By denying the flavour range of e-cigarettes to the people of Ireland, they are forcing those ex-smokers to go back to tobacco flavoured vape juice. This move alone is questionable. Further, denying access to different flavours encourages those quitting smoking to stick to tobacco, making it harder to wean themselves off.

What’s Next for Ireland?

The plans have only just received approval from the Irish government. It will take time before the ban can be effectively planned. Unfortunately it does seem to be on the way. We recommend that vape users in Ireland follow the rules and obey the law. Do what your government tells you. And if you happen to find a vape shop online which ships internationally from another country which still sells disposable vapes, then that is up to you.