- 933 adult vapers in Roscommon-Galway would return to smoking if vape flavours were restricted
- 6,813,725 million additional cigarettes would be smoked in Roscommon-Galway
- 467 additional smoking-related deaths in Roscommon-Galway if these vapers return to smoking
Analysis carried out by the Reduced Risk Products Association (RRPA) has revealed how restrictions on vape flavours in Roscommon-Galway could have a significant negative impact on public health and put thousands of vapers’ lives at risk.
Roscommon-Galway has an adult vaping population of 5,174 individuals and 4,243 are either current or former smokers who are vaping to reduce or quit their cigarette consumption. Flavoured vapes are critical to supporting these smokers who want to quit, with 95% of vapes sold in Ireland non-tobacco flavours.
However data has revealed how the Government’s plans to restrict vape flavours to tobacco only could result in 933 adult vapers in Roscommon-Galway returning to smoking – significantly impacting public health. This would also result in 6,813,725 million additional cigarettes being smoked annually in Roscommon-Galway.
Smoking remains the single biggest threat to public health in Ireland, resulting in 6,000 deaths and 44,000 hospitalisations per year. One in every two smokers will die from a smoking related disease. If 933 adult vapers started smoking again, it could result in an additional 467 smoking-related deaths in Roscommon-Galway.
Spokesperson for the RRPA, Joe Dunne, said: “Vaping is helping thousands of smokers in Ireland reduce their smoking and quit for good. The RRPA is supportive of measures to keep vapes out of the hands of under 18s and non-smokers but we believe a ban on flavours could put smokers’ lives at risk.
“We are calling on the government and politicians to avoid a public health catastrophe around vaping and ensure there is a sensible approach to regulating vaping that will protect both children and the health outlook for smokers.”
