Catherine Noone wants e-cigarettes to be used as a tool to help people quit smoking in Ireland.
The Fine Gael Senator (above), who was awarded the title 'Nanny-in-Chief' by Forest in 2017, told the Irish Independent:
“We are currently on track to miss our smoke-free deadlines in Ireland and I believe that we can correct this course by potentially incorporating e-cigarettes in our policies.
“In an ideal world none of these products would be necessary. However we must recognise the challenges in front of us and do everything we can to tackle smoking."
Responding to her comments my colleague John Mallon said:
“We welcome Senator Noone's support for e-cigarettes which evidence suggests are a helpful and safer option for smokers who wish to quit.
“It is wrong however to set deadlines for a smoke-free Ireland and to promote vaping as a tool to achieve an unrealistic and artificial target.
“Tobacco is a legal product and if adults choose to smoke in full knowledge of the health risks that is a matter for them not government or nanny state loving politicians."
Like most vaping advocates in the political and public health arenas Catherine Noone would like e-cigarettes to be a short-term smoking cessation tool.
We, on the other hand, also see them as a long-term recreational product.
Catherine supports vaping but only as part of the government's anti-smoking strategy.
We, on the other hand, embrace e-cigarettes because we believe in consumer choice – which means respecting the decision of any adult who chooses to vape ... or smoke tobacco.
Anyway, John and Catherine have been booked to discuss the issue on Newstalk, Ireland's leading independent talk radio station, at 10.40 this morning.