Vape Business Ireland Rebrands as Responsible Vaping Ireland

Association Promotes Vaping as Smoking Alternative, Warns Against Overregulation

Vape Business Ireland, an association advocating for sensible vaping regulation, has rebranded itself as Responsible Vaping Ireland. The organization has renewed its focus on promoting vaping as an alternative to smoking while cautioning against unnecessary restrictions that could harm small retailers and increase smoking rates.

Commitment to High Standards and Underage Sales Ban

Responsible Vaping Ireland has long maintained a code of conduct that prohibits its members from selling vapes to individuals under 18, even before the practice became law in 2023. The association welcomed the passing of the 2023 Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act, which officially banned the sale of vapes to minors.

Spokesperson Paul Malone emphasized the organization’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of retail sales, stating, “Our members stuck to a policy of not selling to under-18s long before this became law nationwide. We are firm in our belief that vaping should be for adults looking to quit smoking.”

According to an analysis of data from Healthy Ireland surveys, vaping has helped over 200,000 Irish adults quit smoking to date. The most recent survey in 2023 found that 25% of those who had quit smoking used vapes to do so, highlighting the potential of vaping as a smoking cessation tool.

Read more: Vaping Helped Nearly 3 Million Brits Quit Smoking in 5 Years

Despite the success of vaping in helping smokers quit, proposed legislation in Ireland plans to introduce sweeping restrictions on vaping, including flavors, packaging, and disposable vapes. Some plans even call for outright bans or heavy restrictions on these products.

Responsible Vaping Ireland has called on its members to contact their local candidates and highlight the potential impact of these restrictions on their businesses. The organization has also expressed concern over the lack of clarity regarding the number of retailers selling vaping products in Ireland, particularly those outside the traditional vape shop setting, such as mobile phone accessory stores.

Read more: Northern Ireland Postpones Single-Use Vape Ban by Two Months

Responsible Vaping Ireland rejects the idea that regulating every aspect of vaping will have a positive effect on both health and retailers. The organization points to recent efforts at restricting vapes in countries like Australia, Denmark, and Estonia, which have resulted in either increased smoking rates or the growth of black-market trade, damaging small retailers committed to responsible regulation.

Instead, Responsible Vaping Ireland calls for greater enforcement of the underage ban and inspections of products as the future of vaping regulation. The organization is willing to work with the future government to uphold standards and drive sensible vaping regulation that supports both public health and the viability of small retailers.

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.