Irish Vape Group to Urge Health Officials Against Flavor Ban

Members of the Irish Vape Vendors Association (IVVA) will argue today that flavored nicotine vaping products should not be restricted in newly proposed tobacco control legislation.

The Joint Committee on Health is meeting with representatives from the IVVA for pre-legislative scrutiny of the general proposals included in the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill.

The proposed legislation would prohibit the sale of vaping and tobacco and heat-not-burn (HnB) products to persons under the age of 18. It will also make it illegal for under-18s to sell such products, according to The Journal.

The committee previously heard concerns from the Irish Heart Foundation that teen smoking rates are increasing for the first time in ten years due to an “explosion” of vaping among this age group.

“Research from the Health Research Board has found that teenagers who vape are up to five times more likely to take up smoking citing the gateway effect. We welcome the opportunity to discuss these and other related matters with representatives,” a committee member said.

A spokesperson for the IVVA argues that e-liquid flavors are of vital importance to adult vapers. The IVVA says it is “deeply concerned” by the negative effects a flavor ban could have on tobacco harm reduction and consumer choice.

“The main argument in favor of banning flavored e-liquids is the potential risk of making vaping products more attractive to minors with child-friendly flavorings & packaging. The association between vaping flavors and subsequent smoking initiation is not substantiated. Banning flavored e-liquids would also run counter to vape consumers’ interest. IVVA members observe daily that the choice of e-liquid flavors is one of the reasons that encourages an adult smoker make the switch to vaping.” the IVVA will tell the committee.

Ireland hopes to be tobacco-free by 2025.