Research shows that increasing e-cigarette taxes could lead to higher rates of smoking, especially among young people.
Ireland’s finance minister, Michael McGrath, has decided to postpone the introduction of an impending tax on e-cigarettes over concerns it could discourage smokers from using e-cigarettes as a quitting tool. Treasury and Health Department officials need to strike a balance between preventing young people from vaping while helping existing smokers who use e-cigarettes transition from traditional cigarettes. expressed their sexuality.
The World Vapors Alliance (WVA) praised the decision and called on the Irish government to maintain different tax rates for vapes and cigarettes. WVA Director Michael Rundle said the risk profile of e-cigarette products is significantly lower than that of combustible cigarettes, and that the tax would reduce the risks of the products to encourage smokers to switch to safer alternatives. He emphasized that it should be proportionate.
Why is the VAPE tax counterproductive?
Research shows that increasing e-cigarette taxes could lead to higher rates of smoking, especially among young people. Ireland’s Treasury also expressed concern that if the tax were introduced, vaping would end up on the black market. The introduction of the tax has been postponed indefinitely as the government awaits an EU framework to facilitate its introduction. Updates to the EU Tobacco Tax Directive will include an EU-wide excise tax on e-cigarette products.
Similar to the above, Randle said that taxing e-cigarette products in the same way as cigarettes would discourage smokers from switching while potentially pushing e-cigarettes back into smoking and the black market, which would harm public health. He emphasized that it could have negative effects. He recommends that other countries and the EU follow Ireland’s lead and refrain from introducing taxes on e-cigarettes.
Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhalation Products) Bill
Meanwhile, as of December 21st, a new law in Ireland made it illegal to sell e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly gave Cabinet approval for the measure, which carries a fine of up to €4,000 and imprisonment. Violations are punishable by up to six months in prison. This age restriction is part of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Products) Bill, which also prohibits the sale of tobacco and nicotine products at events aimed at children and the self-service sale of such products.
In addition to banning sales to minors, the law introduces a strict licensing regime, bans advertising of these products around schools and on public transport, and gives the Environmental Health Service additional enforcement powers. I’m giving. This comprehensive measure aims to address adult smoking and e-cigarettes while protecting minors.
Health Minister Donnelly thanked the public for their support in passing the bill and promised that the remaining measures that are part of the bill (namely the advertising regulations and licensing system) would begin in 2024. He added that the results of a further public consultation on e-cigarettes and e-cigarettes: The government will work on tobacco control measures.
what actually works
Meanwhile, countries such as Sweden and the United Kingdom have achieved low smoking rates due to successful tobacco harm reduction strategies that support the use of safer nicotine alternatives such as snus and e-cigarettes.
The use and promotion of less harmful alternatives, coupled with educational campaigns, play a key role in the success of these countries. This approach recognizes that nicotine itself is not the primary harm and instead focuses on reducing the risks associated with combustible tobacco use.
Ireland: Smoking rate remains high due to continued changes in THR