Tobacco and vaping industries lobbying Irish politicians at 'chilling' rate 

Some 511 entries relating to tobacco or vaping from 39 lobbyists between 2016 and 2024 were analysed by researchers working at the time with the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, HSE units, and University College Cork. File picture

The tobacco and vaping industries are lobbying Irish politicians at a “chillingly” high rate, the first analysis of nearly a decade of such lobbying has found.

It also found health groups had 2.9 times fewer submissions on Ireland's lobbying register than tobacco and vaping industries, consulting firms, and retailers. 

A register was set up in 2015 to record interactions between politicians or similar groups and lobbyists on any topic.

Some 511 entries relating to tobacco or vaping from 39 lobbyists between 2016 and 2024 were analysed by researchers working at the time with the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, HSE units, and University College Cork.

Health ministers were listed in 20% of submissions, with 51% of these from commercial groups. Finance ministers were listed in 11% with 68% of these from commercial groups.

Other politicians lobbied work around health, environment, finance and to a lesser extent the European parliament. Lobbyists sought phone calls, online and in-person meetings.

Japan Tobacco International Ireland and consulting firm, FTI Consulting acting on its behalf were the most active at 71 submissions.

Vape Business Ireland (now called Responsible Vaping Ireland) made 61, the Irish Heart Foundation 59 and P.J. Carroll & Company 55.

Direct intervention by the tobacco industry dropped from 58% of submissions in 2018 to 29% in 2024. Meanwhile interventions from retailers increased from 2% in 2016 to 21% by 2024.

Some 14.4% of all submissions related to tax and excise duty. New government legislation around vaping came up in 11.5% of submissions.

The analysis was led by Professor Paul Kavanagh, HSE Tobacco Free Ireland programme and the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland.

“It’s worrying and it’s chilling to see these transparent efforts by the industry to try and get traction on policy here in Ireland,” he said.

Ireland signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This includes a mandate to protect public health policy from industry influence.

He praised the “rigorous” register, but said these findings indicate “urgent need for Ireland to develop targeted national guidelines and training” around that Framework.

Dr Michael Hanrahan, then at University College Cork and the HSE health intelligence unit described as “concerning” industry calls to lower taxes.

“Any interference on that process by the industry undermines the public health strategy,” he said.

While he was “surprised” at frequent vaping retail lobbying, he said: “Retailers talk to officials on a range of subjects, not just tobacco and not always purely negative. It is sometimes (seeking) clarity on legislation or highlighting practical issues.” 

Responding to the findings Mark Murphy at the Irish Heart Foundation described the high level of industry lobbing as “shocking”.

“This paper should be required reading for all TDs and Senators,” he said.

For the IHF, he said: “We have no commercial interest. Our only commercial interest is essentially in reducing the economic costs of stroke or heart disease.” 

He also called for more regulation around lobbying. Queries were put to Responsible Vaping Ireland. 

The paper “Registered tobacco and vaping lobbying activity in Ireland, 2016–2024” is now in BMJ Journals Tobacco Control.

• Niamh Griffin is Heath Correspondent.