Vapers have described the Government’s new levy on e-cigarettes as a tax on those trying to quit smoking. 

Finance Minister Jack Chambers has announced that there will be a tax of 50 cents will be imposed on every military of e-liquid next year. 

The levy was widely expected; last year, then-Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said "considerable preparatory work" had already been carried out and one was needed "in light of public health interests".

A teen vaping on the street. Image: Steven Gill / Alamy

Campaign group Respect Vapers described the 50 cent levy as “totally unacceptable” and would make it harder to quit cigarettes. 

“The fear is that increasing the tax will put taxes out of reach of those who need them to overcome tobacco addiction,” former smoker Ken Heffernan said. 

“Such an increase could result in vapers either returning to smoking or buying vapes from unregulated sources online.”

Tobacco

There will also be a €1 increase in the price of a 20 packet of cigarettes - pushing the price above €18 for the first time. 

The Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco hit out at the increase as “brutal and counter-productive.”

On Dublin's Grafton Street, one smoker said she disappointed with the change.

"I'm so p****d off about it," she said.

"I'm already broke... It's ridiculous.

"I will go to the depths of hell for an affordable rollie pack."

A man smoking a cigarette. Image: Jes2ufoto / Alamy Stock Photo

By contrast, the Irish Heart Foundation described the two measures as "vital deterrent" that will stop young people from taking up harmful habits.

“The new tax specifically targeting e-cigarettes is particularly important given the explosion of youth vaping in Ireland and fears they represent a gateway into smoking for a new generation,"  Director of Advocacy Chris Macey said.

“Given the fact that nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on the planet, it is unfortunate that the introduction of the tax is not scheduled to take place until mid-2025.

“However, the rate selected can have a significant impact on youth vaping rates without deterring people using e-cigarettes to quit smoking.”

Main image: Close-up of a man vaping an electronic cigarette. Picture by: Alamy.com