Ireland’s vape tax puts smokers’ lives at risk

STOCKHOLM, 4 October 2024 – Ireland’s new tax on e-cigarettes is a setback in the fight against tobacco, condemning thousands of smokers to unnecessary premature death, according to international health experts.

This week, the Irish government announced a levy of 50 cents per ml of e-liquid as part of its annual budget, adding €1.23 to the cost of a typical vape. This tax is far above the European average of 10-30 cents.

Criticising the move, Dr. Delon Human, a global harm reduction expert and leader of Smoke Free Sweden, said: “Sweden is on the brink of achieving smoke-free status as a result of its progressive approach to safer alternatives like vaping. This contrasts sharply with Ireland’s approach, where smoking rates remain four times higher.

“Sweden’s successful policies, including lower taxes on safer nicotine alternatives, have helped reduce smoking and smoking-related deaths. In stark contrast, Ireland’s new levy will discourage smokers from switching to less harmful options, potentially keeping them addicted to cigarettes and condemning them to unnecessary premature death.” 

According to a recent Irish public consultation, only 10% of respondents supported increasing taxes on vaping above the EU average, while 39% warned that higher prices would push consumers to source products abroad.

Through the promotion of safer alternatives like snus, nicotine pouches and vapes, Sweden has reduced its smoking rates by 55% over the past decade, resulting in a staggering 44% fewer tobacco-related deaths compared to the rest of the European Union.

“By raising taxes on safer alternatives, Ireland jeopardises its hopes of reducing smoking rates,” Dr. Humans said. “If Ireland truly wants to cut smoking and save lives, it should follow Sweden’s lead in promoting harm reduction, not penalise smokers for trying to quit.”

ENDS

 

Notes to editors

Contact

Smoke Free Sweden

Jessica Perkins

info@smokefreesweden.org

www.smokefreesweden.org

About Smoke Free Sweden

Smoke Free Sweden is a movement that encourages other countries to follow the Swedish experience when it comes to Tobacco Harm Reduction. Sweden is about to become the first ‘smoke free’ European country, with a smoking rate below 5 percent. This remarkable achievement can be attributed to Sweden’s open attitude towards alternative nicotine products.

For more information on Sweden’s successful approach to becoming a smoke free nation, please visit www.smokefreesweden.org.