Tobacco Use and Trends
- In 2022, an estimated 750.4 thousand people (415.5 thousand males and 337.5 thousand females) aged 15 years and older were tobacco product users in Ireland. This positions the country as the 98th globally and the 34th in the WHO European Region in terms of number of tobacco users.1,2
For comparison, according to the Attitudes of Europeans Towards Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes survey in 2020, 18% of respondents (19% males and 17% females) were currently smoking tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos or pipe). Tobacco smoking was more prevalent in the 25-39 age group with 29% followed by the 40-54 age group with 19%, the youngest 15-24 age group with 16%, and the oldest age group 55 years and over with 10%.
Among those tobacco smokers, 45% were daily cigarettes and 27% were daily hand-rolled cigarettes smokers.
In 2019, 14% youths (16% boys and 13% girls) aged 15-16 years were current cigarette smokers.
Demand for cigarettes per capita reduced a notable 71% in Ireland from 89 packs in 2002 to 26 packs in 2021. The demand for per capita fine-cut tobacco (e.g. roll your own) increased rapidly in Ireland from 1.7 packs of 20gr weight in 2002 and reached its peak to 5.4 packs of 20gr weight in 2015. Since then, the demand for RYO fluctuated and fell by 17% to 4.5 packs of 20gr weight in 2021 (Figure 1).
Figure 1 Cigarette and Fine Cut Tobacco Consumption in Ireland 2002-2021
Source: European Commission, Releases for consumption of cigarettes and fine cut tobacco (2002-2022)
Nicotine Alternatives
- In 2022, 6% of adults in Ireland (7% males and 5% females) aged 15 years were current e-cigarette users.
- In 2020, 29% of respondents (34% males and 25% females) said they at least tried e-cigarettes.
- The “at least tried out” category, the rate was the highest among the youngest 15-24 age group with 47%, followed by the 25-39 age group with 44%, the 40-54 age group with 23% and the 55 years old and older group with 13%.
- 7% of adults were current e-cigarettes users.
- In 2020, 12% of respondents (15% males and 10% females) said they at least tried heated tobacco products (HTPs).
- The “at least tried out” category, the rate was more prevalent among the youngest 15-24 age group with 20%, followed by 25-39 age group with 19%, the 40-54 age group with 8%, and the 55 and over age group with 7%.
- Current HTP prevalence was 2%.
- In 2020, 67% of respondents who tried stopping and ex-smokers said they had either quit or attempted to quit without any assistance.
- Approximately 22% utilized Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), 6% sought medical support while 21% utilized e-cigarettes. Only 2% opted for HTPs or oral, chewing, nasal tobacco products in their quitting journey.
- In 2019, 15% of youths (20% boys and 12% girls) aged 15-16 years in Ireland were current e-cigarette users.
Health and Economic Burden From Tobacco Use
In 2021, it was estimated that tobacco was the 1st highest risk factor driving the most death and disability combined in Ireland.
Tobacco was responsible for an estimated 3.8 thousand deaths, which is about 27.6% of total deaths.
Of tobacco-related deaths, 3.6 thousand or 94.3% were due to smoking, and 302.8 or 7.9% were due to secondhand smoke.
In 2021, the top 10 causes of the most deaths in Ireland included Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) ranking 1st, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) ranking 4th, Lung Cancer ranking 5th ,and Stroke ranking 6th,
Tobacco was responsible for an estimated 668 or 16.8% of all IHD deaths, 174 or 11.3% of all Stroke deaths, 1.2 thousand or 83.1% of all Lung Cancer deaths, and 775.9 or 73.5% of all COPD deaths.
In 2021, tobacco use caused an estimated loss of 96.0 thousand disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), which was about 23.9% of total DALYs. Tobacco accounts for 14.3 thousand DALYs for IHD, 4.0 thousand DALYs for Stroke, 25.5 thousand DALYs for Lung Cancer, and 15.0 thousand DALYs for COPD.
Regulatory Environment and Economics
Public Health Commitment
Ireland ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005.
Ireland adopted graphical health warnings (GHWs) on combustible cigarettes (CCs) in 2013, covering 65% of the front and 65% of the back of the packages. In addition, plain packaging (PP) for CCs was implemented in 2018.
Diverse Tobacco Market
HTPs are not marketed in Ireland as of 2023 but are classified as “smoking tobacco products”. Meanwhile e-cigarettes with or without nicotine content, are available and regulated in line with EU’s Tobacco Product Directive (TPD). Key points include:
A flavor ban is in place for HTPs and e-cigarettes with nicotine content, allowing only tobacco flavors.
Product restrictions for e-cigarettes include a maximum nicotine concentration to 20mg/ml, the tank capacity not exceeding 2ml, and refill containers limited to a maximum 10ml.
Text health warnings are imposed for HTPs and e-cigarettes with nicotine covering both the inner and outer surfaces with a coverage of 35% for HTPs and 32% for e-cigarettes.
Taxation Policy
In 2022, total tax rate on retail prices of a pack of cigarette was 76.1%.
HTPs in Ireland are subject to a specific excise tax of EUR 315.14 per kg of tobacco. Meanwhile, e-cigarettes are not subject to excise tax as of 2023.
The excise value of CCs is EUR 9.05/pack in 2023, with its share (60.34%) on retail selling price (EUR 15.00/pack). HTPs are not defined in tax code.
Smoking and Advertising Bans3
- Complete smoking bans with complete level of compliance, and moderate advertising bans with complete level of compliance were enforced in Ireland in 2022.
Age Restrictions
- Tobacco products cannot be sold to individuals younger than 18 years of age in Ireland.
Illicit Cigarette Trade
- Estimated figures indicate that illicit cigarette trade has been under control in Ireland at below 10% over the years and 8.6% in 2022. (Euromonitor [accessed November 2023])
- In 2021, an estimated 0.5 billion counterfeit & contraband (C&C) cigarettes were consumed in Ireland. The market share of C&C was approximately 16.8% of the total cigarette market, costing the government an estimated EUR 283 million in total tax revenue.
Tobacco Production and Diversification
- Detailed data is not readily available from the Food and Agriculture Organization for Ireland. (FAOSTAT [accessed January 2024])