According to recent data from Ireland's Department of Health's 2021 Healthy Ireland survey, smoking rates have increased from 17% to 18% in the past two years. In response to these findings, Vape Business Ireland (VBI) suggests that this rise in smoking rates may be due to the continued rejection of proven harm-reducing options such as e-cigarettes. VBI further adds that this is clear evidence of the failure to achieve a smoke-free Ireland strategy by 2025.
Here are the 2021 results of the Healthy Ireland survey.
Currently, 4% of the population use electronic cigarette products, which is a 1% decrease from the 2019 figures. Of the population, 6% of current smokers and 3% of non-smokers use electronic cigarettes. Among non-smokers, 10% of individuals trying to quit smoking use electronic cigarette products, whereas less than 1% of those who have never smoked use them. Furthermore, 18% of individuals who have attempted to quit smoking within the past 12 months have used electronic cigarettes as part of their quit attempt.
Eoin O'Boyle, a spokesperson for VBI, stated that the data presented is in stark contrast to the data from the UK, where Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) has been widely accepted. "Today's results deal a significant blow to the government's ambition of achieving a smoke-free society by 2025. Part of the reason for failing to achieve this goal may be due to our public health institutions continuing to reject verified harm reduction options, such as e-cigarettes. This is in stark contrast to the long-term decline in smoking rates in the UK, which has been supported by the adoption and promotion of pragmatic approaches, such as using e-cigarettes as a less harmful alternative to smoking tobacco.
The Smoke-Free Ireland Plan.
Meanwhile, in response to the stagnant smoking cessation rates, the HSE has launched the 2023 Quit Smoking campaign. Dr. Paul Kavanagh, head of public health medicine for the Irish Smoke-Free Plan at HSE, stated that smoking continues to cause significant harm, with nearly 100 deaths and 1,000 hospitalizations related to smoking each week.
He added that quitting smoking is the most important thing people can do to improve their health. "It's important that we recognize that smoking is an addiction, not a choice," he said. "Just like any addiction, it can be difficult to overcome and begin to regain control without proper support.
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