St. Colman's Cathedral in Cobh, Ireland, overlooking colorful houses

18% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 717,042 current smokers in Ireland

21% of men are current smokers but only 15% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Ireland
Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2024-07-23

Smoking in Ireland

18% of the population are current smokers, with 14% daily smokers and 4% occasional smokers. These figures are the same as those reported in 2021-2022.

Smoking is higher amongst men (21%) than women (15%) and higher amongst those who are unemployed or have not completed the Leaving Certificate.

33% of the population are ex-smokers. 49% of those who have smoked in the past year have attempted to quit smoking, with 23% of this group successfully quitting smoking. 58% used willpower alone, 25% used e-cigarettes, and 19% used nicotine replacement therapy.

8% of the population currently use e-cigarettes either daily (5%) or occasionally (3%), with a further 12% reporting they have tried them in the past but no longer use them. In 2022, 6% were current users of e-cigarettes.

A fifth (20%) of women aged 15-24 use e-cigarettes either daily or occasionally; the rate for men of the same age group is 16%.

Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2023. (2023, November 22). Department of Health. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/73c9d-healthy-ireland-survey-2023/#smoking

For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.

5,602

Deaths

In Ireland, 5602 people die each year due to tobacco smoking.

27.1 million €

Market size of NRT.

NRT market size is estimated to be 27.1 million €.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Ireland

The Republic of Ireland abides by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). The law relating to e-cigarettes is Statutory Instrument No. 271 of 2016, European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016. Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are regulated as tobacco products. Vaping is not officially prohibited in public places, but many locations have imposed their own vaping bans. Domestic advertising is permitted within the confines of EU law and cross-border sales remain legal providing the retailer is registered with the government.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Ireland

Heated tobacco products must comply with existing tobacco control legislation in Ireland. Daily using HTP prevalence is at 0.4%.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Ireland

Estimated NRT market size is 27.1 million €.

Snus

in Ireland

Snus is legal to use.

Pouches

in Ireland

Pouches are allowed.

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.