Irish Vape Group Defends Flavor Preferences of Adults

Ireland’s Oireachtas Health Committee yesterday heard testimony from three members of the Irish Vape Vendors Association (IVVA) as politicians continued scrutiny of the general scheme of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill. The three members of the IVVA, who all have ties to the vaping industry, argued that flavors should be retained as people seeking to give up smoking using vapor products “want to move away from the flavor of tobacco.”

Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall asked the IVVA about a number of vape flavors that she said would be “particularly attractive to under 18s.” Addressing the committee, Shortall named a number of the flavors listed on their websites including Dr Frost Lemonade Fizz, Apple Berry Crumble and Purple Slush. “Surely there isn’t a demand for adults from those for those flavors, they very much sound like flavors that are designed to appeal to children,” she said. Shortall also said that some products are sold with “cartoon-like packaging” such as “Vampire Vape”.

In response, Joanna O’Connell of Vapourpal said their website “only stocks flavors that our adult customers request,” according to The Journal. “They’re not attracted by the packaging, they are attracted by the flavor. That specific flavor that you’re speaking of that’s on our website is one of the most popular fruit flavored e-liquids among adults,” she said.

O’Connell agreed that the packaging was “cartoon-like” and added that they have “been onto the manufacturer regarding that.” Shortall also sought clarity from the IVVA on online age verification for buying e-cigarette products online. One IVVA member said that there are no “foolproof” age verification systems for online e-cigarettes websites.