Vaping in Ireland is set to become significantly more expensive as a new government excise duty, the E-liquid Products Tax, officially takes effect from tomorrow, November 1, 2025. This major price hike is part of a broader government crackdown aimed at protecting public health and, specifically, reducing the alarming rise in vaping among young people.
The new tax will add 50 cent per milliliter (€0.50/ml) to all vape liquids sold in the country. This levy applies to all e-liquids, **regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not**, and covers both disposable vapes and reusable refill bottles. The financial impact on consumers will be immediate and substantial:
- A standard 2ml disposable vape will see its price increase by €1, likely pushing the retail cost to over €9.
- A typical 10ml refill bottle of e-liquid, which currently costs around €6, will see a €5 tax added, causing its price to jump to over €12 once VAT is included.
Government Aims to End "Pocket Money Prices"
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, who signed the order to introduce the new excise duty in September, stated that the measure is a key part of the government's effort to address public health concerns. "I am pleased to announce the commencement of the E-liquid Products Tax," said Minister Donohoe. "This measure will help to address the public health concerns created by the rising prevalence of vapes and related products on the Irish market and their increasing usage amongst young people."
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the new tax is aimed squarely at protecting children and young people from harm. "We do not know the long-term harms of vaping products and most contain nicotine which is highly addictive. Protecting children and young people from these products is a priority for this government," she said. Junior Health Minister Jennifer Murnane O'Connor added that the days of cheap vapes are over, stating, "There are vapes being sold for as little as €2. This tax will help ensure that these products are no longer available at pocket money prices."
Broader Regulatory Crackdown on Vaping
This new tax is just one component of a wider regulatory push in Ireland and across Europe. Ireland joins a growing number of EU countries introducing domestic taxes on e-cigarettes, while the EU itself works to update its Tobacco Tax Directive to include newer nicotine products. Countries like Belgium and France have already banned disposable vapes entirely.
The Irish government has confirmed that additional legislation is also on the way, which will include:
- A ban on single-use (disposable) vapes.
- Restrictions on vape packaging and flavors to reduce youth appeal.
- Prohibitions on retail advertising and in-store displays for vaping products.
Under the new tax law, all suppliers of e-liquids are required to register with Revenue and will be responsible for paying and accounting for the tax. The Department of Finance estimates that the new e-liquid tax could raise millions in revenue annually, which will support Ireland's broader public health goals of reducing both smoking and vaping rates nationwide. The implementation of this tax marks a significant step in the government's strategy to make vaping less accessible and affordable, particularly for its youngest citizens.
