Preventing smoking initiation and encouraging its cessation remain the primary focus for the Department of Health in relation to tobacco and nicotine use. 17% of the Irish adult population (aged 15 and over) are current smokers. Smoking has a devastating impact on health. Half of all smokers will eventually die from a tobacco-related illness. Each year in Ireland, it claims over 4,500 lives, with more than 100 people dying and over 1,000 hospitalised every week due to smoking-related conditions. Despite the introduction of a variety of legislative and non-legislative measures, the target of less than 5% smoking prevalence among the adult population has not been achieved. The Tobacco Free Ireland policy is currently being updated.
It will set out a pathway to end the epidemic of smoking-related harm in Ireland and how to protect young people from the harm of nicotine products.
E-cigarette (vaping) use and nicotine pouch (snus) use is a growing concern among youth in Ireland, with higher prevalence in younger age groups and a notable increase over recent years. Vaping is more common than traditional smoking in this demographic, and young people can access e-cigarettes through social media and retail outlets. It is now illegal to sell e-cigarettes to children under 18. Nicotine pouch sales (snus) are not yet regulated. Nicotine in e-cigarettes poses risks to the developing brain, potentially leading to addiction, mood disorders, sleep and respiratory health issues. There is strong evidence linking vaping to an increased likelihood of young people starting to smoke traditional cigarettes. The most recent data shows that vape use is not just ‘experimentation’. The most significant trend in the data is a rising pattern of current and regular use. It has been suggested that product and market changes including disposables and use of nicotine salts may be leading more children to become addicted.
The immediate focus of policy and legislation regarding vaping is on reducing youth uptake. The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 introduced a suite of measures to tackle the rise in youth vaping including prohibiting the sale of nicotine inhaling products to persons under the age of 18, a new licensing system for the retail sale of nicotine inhaling products, a ban on self-service vending machines and a ban on the advertisement of nicotine inhaling products on public transport, in cinemas and near schools. Legislation to restrict flavours, packaging and appearance, point-of-sale advertising and display and to ban single-use vapes is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General. These Bills have been prioritised for publication in forthcoming Legislative Programme.
Vaping and young people
Students in their early teenage years are on the cusp of making choices that could have a significant impact on their health and well-being in the long term. While it is normal for young people to want to experiment with tobacco, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches (snus), alcohol or other drugs, their views and understanding of substance use will already be influenced by the adult world around them. It is beneficial to equip students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need prior to the situation arising where they may decide to experiment, or may feel curiosity or pressure to try tobacco, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches (snus), alcohol or other drugs. Engaging in discussions about substance use in school and at home can have a valuable influence to help guide and support them in their decision making.
Talking to your child about nicotine and vaping
Unit 1 Teaching Resources
Unit 2 Teaching Resources
Quit4Youth Programme
Quit4Youth is a seven-week, group stop smoking programme developed specifically for young people. The programme offers behavioural support in a fun, educational and non-judgmental manner. The aim for young people attending the programme is to quit smoking. Please note that while we have confidence in the underpinning evidence in terms of what works to support smoking cessation we do not have access to robust evidence in the cessation of vaping. However, while behavioural support for quitting smoking and medicines for managing nicotine withdrawal have not been developed or tested for stop vaping use, first principles would suggest that they could be useful as a stop vaping aid. We know these medicines have a well-established safety profile, and behavioural supports and techniques for addiction and health behaviour change have been applied successfully to multiple health behaviours. There should be consultation between the young person, GPs and parents/guardians so that they can discuss the pros and cons of using any medication.
Access resources for the Quit4Youth Programme
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