Ireland National Health Survey: Drinking Declines, Vaping Use Rises

Due to the impact of the pandemic, the number of drinkers in Ireland has decreased, but the number of e-cigarette users has increased. The survey shows that young people aged 15 to 24 are the main users of e-cigarettes.

According to a report by the Irish Independent on November 23, the results of the latest round of the national health survey show that compared to before the pandemic, the number of drinkers in the country has decreased, but the smoking rate has not declined, and more people have started using e-cigarettes.

The survey indicates that the proportion of the population that drank alcohol in the past 12 months is 70%, down from 75% reported in 2018; the smoking rate remains stable, the same as the report from 2021 to 2022, with currently 18% of people smoking, 14% being regular smokers, and 4% being occasional smokers.

The report states that about 8% of the population now uses e-cigarettes. While e-cigarettes are a valuable smoking cessation aid for smokers, the usage rate has risen from 6% last year, with the highest usage rate among the 15 to 24 age group, where 20% of females and 16% of males use e-cigarettes.