The Irish Prime Minister is personally in favor of banning electronic cigarettes

In Ireland, Prime Minister Micheál Martin has expressed his support for immediately strengthening regulations on e-cigarettes. He has personally stated his support for a general ban on these products. He also wants to limit the number of vaping shops and is considering new measures regarding nicotine pouches. These statements come as the Irish government continues its policy of combating smoking and nicotine products, within a European context marked by the revision of several directives regulating these products.

Electronic cigarettes, the "tobacco industry's revenge""

Irish Prime Minister and former Health Minister Micheál Martin has indicated that he personally supports a ban on e-cigarettes and the regulation of specialist shops.[1]. Speaking after the Fianna Fáil parliamentary meeting in Tullamore, County Offaly, he said these products should be met with a government response.« as firm as possible »"because of their health effects. Micheál Martin expressed his concerns about their effects on the lungs as well as the composition of some products. He also described the development of vaping as '« revenge of the tobacco industry »He believes that these products share certain characteristics with tobacco, particularly in terms of their appeal to young people and nicotine addiction. Furthermore, their long-term health effects remain unknown.

In addition to supporting a ban on these products, the Irish Prime Minister also mentioned a possible limitation on the number of shops specializing in the sale of e-cigarettes. According to him, several Fianna Fáil MPs have reported the proliferation of these shops in certain streets and towns across the country and would like more control over their establishment.

This announcement comes after the discovery, by the laboratory of the HSE's national addiction treatment centre, of substances linked to "« serious damage to physical and mental health »These include psychosis, loss of consciousness, and severe intoxication, in several e-cigarettes. Concerns have also been raised about mislabeling of vaping products sold in stores and online, with research revealing that some substances were not listed on the packaging.[2].

One of the most active countries against tobacco and nicotine at national and European levels

Ireland already bans disposable e-cigarettes after prohibiting their sale to those under 18. However, Micheál Martin has indicated that he wants to go further and that new discussions should take place within the government. Recently, a bill proposed extending to vaping certain measures taken against cigarettes. This text addresses restrictions on advertising in physical points of sale, limitations on their visibility in general stores, regulations on the colors, images, and visual elements used on the devices and packaging of all these products, and limitations on flavorings. Measures concerning nicotine pouches are also reportedly under consideration, such as prohibiting their sale to minors.

The Taoiseach also recalled his role, when he was Minister of Health, in implementing the 2004 ban on smoking in workplaces. He believed that national policies addressing smoking and cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer had contributed to increased life expectancy. However, he expressed concern that heart and lung diseases could now "« return through the back door ".

These continued efforts at the national level have earned Ireland first place in the Tobacco Control Scale 2025, This makes it a model to follow in terms of anti-smoking policy alongside countries like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway or Finland.

This position also comes at a time when Ireland holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union until December 31, 2026., This comes at a particularly important time for European tobacco control policies. The revision of the Tobacco Products Taxation Directive (TPD), which notably includes extending tax rules to e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches in countries where these products are authorized, is currently being discussed in the Council. In parallel, the European Commission is preparing the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), including a revision of the Advertising Directive for Tobacco Products (ATP). In this context, the next meetings of the working group on fiscal issues dedicated to tobacco taxation are scheduled for September and October 2026, and the challenge for health stakeholders is to reach an agreement that will truly reduce the tobacco and nicotine epidemic.

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[1]Vapes are the 'revenge of Big Tobacco', says Taoiseach, RTÉ, published on September 8, 2026, accessed on September 9, 2026

[2]Elaine Loughlin, Micheál Martin: Vapes are the 'revenge of big tobacco'', Irish Examiner, published on September 8, 2026, accessed on September 9, 2026

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