{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/6985c16c9a20cfbf33a91657?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Vapes Flavour Ban Risks Ex-Smokers in Louth & Meath Returning to Cigarettes -  06/02/2026","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/1770372769693-31a2e651-569a-4c45-b166-ef24d61322ed.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>New research warns that the Government’s proposed restrictions on vape flavours could drive almost 60,000 former smokers back to cigarettes, undoing years of progress in reducing Ireland’s smoking rate.</p><p><br></p><p>A county-by-county analysis shows that 58,080 adult vapers nationwide would return to smoking if the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill proceeds with a ban on all vape flavours except tobacco.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>The findings raise serious concerns about the public-health consequences of the proposed legislation, particularly the risk of ex-smokers returning to cigarettes, which remain the leading cause of 6,000 preventable deaths in Ireland every year.</p><p><br></p><p>Ken Heffernan, spokesperson for Respect Vapers and former smoker, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. </p><p><br></p>","author_name":"lmfm "}