Ireland Reacts to the US Vape Illness Outbreak
The jury is no longer out concerning the mystery behind vape-related deaths and lung illness outbreak in the US.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed previous reports stating that the EVALI outbreak is almost certainly linked to the consumption of illicit THC.
Counterfeit THC e-liquid cartridges often mixed with vitamin E acetate along with “homebrews” have been responsible, and not legal genuine nicotine vaping products.
Ireland, as part of the EU, already follows the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). But after concerns about vaping across the pond, Ireland is proposing to update its tobacco and vaping health policies.
Vaping in Ireland is well tolerated and considered to be helpful in reducing smoking. The changes are aimed at continuing the downward smoking trend.
Measures aimed towards children
Firstly, tobacco will no longer be a self-service product. A ban on vending machines that sell tobacco products is currently being proposed, backed by fixed penalty notices.
This measure is aimed at reducing availability and preventing children from smoking. The legislation goes further by proposing a ban on the sale of tobacco products in child-friendly places.
E-cigarette ban
A ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to children under the age of 18 would bring it in line with current tobacco legislation in Ireland.
It is also hoped to better regulate the sale of tobacco and vaping products by introducing the necessity for retailers to purchase a license annually. The cost of such a license has yet to be debated.
And in direct response to the lung disease outbreak in the US, Ireland’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has asked for the State Laboratory to carry out tests on e-cigarettes.
At PodVapes, we support all harm reduction anti-smoking policies. We are strongly opposed to children under 18 years of age vaping or smoking.
Vapers can be confident that any products sold by PodVapes Europe to customers in Ireland and throughout the EU are of the highest standard and are fully tested and safe.
Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_outbreak_of_lung_illness_linked_to_vaping_products
