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Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in Ireland

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  2. Global Smoking and Tobacco Harm Reduction Database
  3. Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in Ireland
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HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
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NRT

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

Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2025-01-07

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.

3,836

Deaths

In Ireland, 3836 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 €.

Details & datasheet on smoking in Ireland

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.

Details & datasheet on vaping in Ireland

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%.

Details & datasheet on HTP in Ireland

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Ireland

Estimated NRT market size is 27.1 million €.

Details & datasheet on NRT in Ireland

Snus

in Ireland

Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Find out what it is, and why it is considered a safer nicotine product in our briefing paper.

Details & datasheet on snus in Ireland

Pouches

in Ireland

Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Read more about nicotine pouches in our briefing paper

Details & datasheet on pouches in Ireland

Top Stories from Ireland

June 12, 2025 by irishexaminer.com

Story

Freely available nicotine replacement therapy raises rate of people who quit smoking

Research in Ireland shows higher smoking cessation rates after the introduction of free nicotine …

Regions: Europe Ireland

June 05, 2025 by daily-pouch.com

Story

Nicotine Pouches: A Credible Lifeline for Irish Vapers?

The Irish government and media are creating a hostile environment for vaping, prompting consideration …

Regions: Europe Ireland

June 04, 2025 by imt.ie

Story

Smoking Cessation: Overview of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Treatment Options

Smoking is a major health issue among young adult men in Ireland, with high …

Regions: Europe Ireland

May 22, 2025 by thejournal.ie

Story

Most teenagers who vape had never smoked cigarettes before, and 14 is the most common age to start

Research shows most teenage vapers had not smoked cigarettes before starting. The average age …

Regions: Europe Ireland

May 13, 2025 by irishexaminer.com

Story

HSE warns people to stop using three vapes which are mislabelled as having no nicotine

The HSE warns against three vapes falsely labeled as "no nicotine," containing high nicotine …

Regions: Europe Ireland

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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.
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