Irish Taoiseach Calls Vaping “Nearly Worse Than Cigarettes” — Here’s What UK Vapers Actually Need to Know

Comments from Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, have caused a stir this week after he suggested vaping was “nearly worse than cigarettes” during a speech on September 8. The remark lands at an awkward moment, given that Ireland currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU until the end of this year, and discussions on EU-wide vaping taxation are very much live. For UK readers, it’s worth separating the political noise from the facts, because very little of this actually changes anything for vapers buying legally sold products in Britain.

Why This Story Matters Beyond Ireland

Ireland doesn’t set UK law, and the Taoiseach’s comments are not a UK policy announcement. However, loose claims like this tend to spread quickly across Europe and can shape how EU-level taxation and regulation debates unfold, which indirectly affects how e-liquids and devices are priced and manufactured for the wider European market, UK included, since many products are still made to EU-aligned specifications. The comparison to cigarettes isn’t supported by the broader UK public health consensus, where vaping is still generally regarded as a significantly lower-risk alternative for existing smokers. Scare headlines like this one can unfortunately deter smokers from switching at all, which is the opposite of what harm-reduction policy is meant to achieve.

What’s Actually Changing in the UK Right Now

While Ireland debates taxation and rhetoric, the UK has its own real, concrete change landing today. From 1 October 2026, the new Vaping Products Duty comes into force, adding a flat £2.20 per 10ml of e-liquid. This is not a prediction or something “coming soon” — it starts today. If you’ve been topping up your nic salts or shortfills, expect prices to shift upward slightly across the board as retailers and manufacturers absorb or pass on the new duty.

It’s a sensible moment to stock up on e-liquid priced before increases fully filter through. The Al Fakher 10ml Nic Salt at £1.99 is a solid example of a compliant 10ml bottle at the maximum legal UK strength of 20mg/ml, and grabbing a few now while pricing is still favourable makes practical sense.

Remember: Disposables Are Still Banned

It’s also worth restating, given how much confused chatter is floating around online about vaping rules generally, that single-use disposable vapes have been illegal to sell or supply in the UK since 1 June 2025. That ban hasn’t changed, and no, reports from Ireland or anywhere else in Europe alter that. If you’re still seeing disposables advertised anywhere, steer well clear, both for legal reasons and because that supply chain is increasingly unregulated and unreliable.

For anyone who misses the simplicity of a disposable, a refillable pod kit is the only sensible legal route now. The Lost Mary 4 in 1 Prefilled Kit at £7.00 gives you that same grab-and-go convenience with prefilled pods, but within the legal 2ml tank limit and fully compliant with current UK rules.

Sorting Fact From Fear When Choosing Your Next Kit

With all this noise around vaping’s reputation, it’s a good time to make sure your own setup is actually working for you rather than just being a habit. UK regulations already cap tank and pod capacity at 2ml and nicotine strength at 20mg/ml, so every legally sold device here is built around those limits regardless of what’s said abroad. The real differences between kits come down to build quality, coil technology and battery life, not loopholes in strength or capacity.

If you’re after something more substantial than a basic pod kit, the Vaporesso Xros 5 Vape Kit at £21.99 remains one of the better all-rounders on the market, offering adjustable airflow and strong coil longevity for someone switching from smoking who wants something that won’t feel flimsy day to day. For vapers wanting an even more compact daily option, the Vaporesso XROS 6 Pod Kit 30W at £14.49 is a lighter, cheaper alternative with similar reliability, good for anyone who prioritises portability over raw power.

The Practical Takeaway

Nothing said by Ireland’s Taoiseach changes UK law, product limits, or availability. What does matter today is the new Vaping Products Duty, which will gradually push e-liquid prices up, and the ongoing disposable vape ban, which remains firmly in place. Sensible moves right now include stocking up on compliant nic salts like the Al Fakher range before pricing fully adjusts, and making sure your kit is a proper refillable device rather than anything resembling a disposable. If your current setup is ageing or unreliable, upgrading now, while good offers are still around, is far more useful than worrying about political soundbites from across the Irish Sea.