[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1182″ img_size=”medium” align=”vc_align_center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The consultation period for public submissions to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) draft Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on smoking cessation interventions closed today.

In drafting our submission, the IVVA highlighted a number of instances where the conclusions drawn in the draft assessment  – that more smokers switching to vaping would represent a cost saving for the state – are impeded by the current policies on vaping and vaping products in Ireland.

These policies will likely impede vaping reaching its full potential as safer alternative to smoking in Ireland.

Specifically, the regulations which transpose the EU Tobacco Products Directive, the bans on their use in some public places, and only regarding vaping in the context of a cessation attempt rather than also as a harm reduction tool.

The responses to the consultation will be collated by HIQA, who will issue a final report to be delivered to the Department of Health and which will ”underpin a planned national clinical guideline on smoking cessation interventions and will inform policy decisions about potential improvements to the provision of smoking cessation services in the public health service.”

The IVVA’s response in full can be found here.

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