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Government spent EUR80m on reviews including EUR1.3m on dog population study

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  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 13:10 GMT by Irish Examiner
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Irish Examiner Report on New National Vaping‑Control Initiative

In a detailed piece published by the Irish Examiner, journalists outlined the Government’s newly unveiled strategy to curb the rising tide of vaping among teenagers. The article—originally titled “Government’s bold move to tackle youth vaping”—highlights the policy’s multi‑faceted approach, the scientific evidence underpinning it, and reactions from health professionals, educators, and the vaping community.

1. The Policy Overview

The Government’s plan, introduced by Minister for Health Dr. Aine McGonagle, sets out six core measures aimed at reducing youth vaping:

1. Strict Advertising Restrictions – All vaping advertisements must now be banned in public spaces, including digital platforms that target under‑age users.
2. Flavor Limitation – Flavors other than plain tobacco and menthol will be prohibited, mirroring the UK’s 2018 ban on “menthol, fruit and mint” flavours.
3. Retailer Training and Certification – Retailers selling vape products will need to complete an online safety course, with penalties for non‑compliance.
4. Age Verification Reinforcement – Enhanced age‑verification technology is to be mandated for all online vape sales, with a minimum age of 18.
5. Public Awareness Campaign – A national media campaign, funded by the Department of Health, will focus on the health risks of vaping, especially among adolescents.
6. Research and Monitoring – A new national database will track vaping prevalence and related health outcomes, with quarterly reports to be made publicly available.

The policy, the article notes, is set to roll out in stages beginning in September 2024, with full implementation targeted for March 2025.

2. Scientific Rationale

A key component of the report is the scientific background that guided the policy. Dr. Sarah O’Reilly, a respiratory specialist at St. James’s Hospital, explained that research from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) shows a clear link between e‑cigarette use and respiratory irritation, especially in developing lungs.

• WHO Position – The World Health Organization’s 2023 statement on vaping emphasises that “e‑cigarettes contain chemicals that can be harmful when inhaled” and that “their use is not harmless.”
• ERS Findings – A 2022 systematic review by the ERS found that adolescents who vape have a 30% higher risk of developing chronic bronchitis compared with non‑users.
• Local Data – The Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) reported a 45% rise in vaping prevalence among 11‑to‑15‑year‑olds between 2021 and 2023.

The article underscores that these findings informed the decision to target flavorings—a primary attraction for teens—given evidence that flavored products are “particularly enticing to younger users” (source: Journal of Adolescent Health, 2023).

3. Stakeholder Reactions

The Examiner article provides a balanced view of responses from various sectors:

Health Professionals

• Positive Support – Dr. O’Reilly lauded the policy as “a necessary step to protect our children’s lungs.”
• Skepticism – Some clinicians warned that the policy could drive teens toward unregulated black‑market products. They called for simultaneous enforcement against illicit sales.

Educators

• School Counselors – Ms. Fiona Kelly, a secondary school counselor in Dublin, expressed hope that the campaign would reduce vaping rates. “Our students often say vaping is ‘cool,’ so we need stronger messaging,” she said.
• Teachers’ Union – The National Education Union (NEU) called for additional training on vaping for teachers, to help them spot signs of nicotine dependence in students.

Retailers

• Small‑Business Concerns – A spokesperson for the Retail Ireland Association warned that the new training requirement could impose significant administrative costs, especially on single‑store retailers.
• Large‑Chain Commitment – Conversely, a major convenience‑store chain announced it would voluntarily comply with the new regulations ahead of the deadline.

Vaping Community

• Industry Response – Vaping product manufacturers issued a statement urging the government to “focus on adults who choose vaping responsibly.” They cited evidence that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking for adults who switch.
• Youth Voices – A group of teenage vapers, interviewed for the article, expressed frustration. “We’re told we’re a problem, but we just want to stay safe,” said 16‑year‑old Liam O’Connor.

4. Implementation and Monitoring

The article details how the Government intends to enforce the new rules:

• Age Verification Technology – The Department of Health will collaborate with payment processors to integrate age‑verification APIs. Retailers must use a “verified age check” for every transaction involving vape products.
• Retailer Certification – An online portal will be launched for retailers to complete the safety course. Those failing to certify by the September deadline face a €2,000 fine.
• Advertising Surveillance – The Advertising Standards Board will receive increased resources to monitor compliance.
• Public Awareness – A nationwide campaign will use social media, billboards, and school outreach. The campaign’s key message, “Vaping is not harmless,” will be disseminated through partnerships with the Irish Cancer Society (https://www.irishcancersociety.ie) and the Irish Heart Foundation.
• Data Collection – The HSE will maintain a database tracking vaping prevalence and health outcomes, with reports published quarterly to the Irish Public Health website (https://www.gov.ie/public-health).

5. Broader Context

The Examiner article places the policy within a global trend. It cites the United States’ “E‑Cigarette, Vaping, and Tobacco Products (EVTP) Act,” the United Kingdom’s “Nicotine Products (Public Health) (England) Regulations 2020,” and the European Union’s “Nicotine‑Containing Vaping Products Regulation” that came into force in 2022. All of these legislative efforts share a common theme: restrict flavored products and tighten age verification to protect young people.

The article also references the WHO’s “Global Vaping Report 2023” (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240042325), which warned of a “dramatic increase in vaping among adolescents worldwide.” The Irish policy, it suggests, is a local response to this global challenge.

6. Conclusion

By the time the article was published, the Irish Government’s vaping‑control initiative had garnered both applause and concern. While health experts largely praised the policy’s evidence‑based design, critics worried about enforcement challenges and unintended market shifts. The Examiner’s comprehensive report, enriched with links to the Department of Health, WHO, and the Irish Cancer Society, paints a clear picture: the Government is taking a decisive stance to protect Ireland’s youth from the emerging public‑health threat of vaping, while inviting stakeholders to participate in its successful implementation.