RRPA Code of Conduct

Setting standards for the legal, adult vaping and smoke-free nicotine market in Ireland.

Our Commitment

All of our members adhere to the RRPA Members’ Code of Conduct.

To comply with the law and never sell vaping products to anyone under 18 years old and apply a ‘Challenge 21’ policy in all retail environments.
To ensure all our retail staff are fully age-aware trained.
To ensure robust processes are in place for online sales to prevent selling to anyone under 18 years of age.

2. To comply with all products standards in force in Ireland

To only supply products that comply with regulations that are in force in Ireland covering e-cigarettes and vaping products and that have been notified to the HSE where this is required.
To adhere to high levels of quality assurance and safety in product manufacturing and strive to improve best practice in these areas right across our industry.

3. To only sell e-cigarettes and vaping products to adults

That vaping products should only be marketed towards adult smokers, vapers and consumers of other nicotine products.
Not to sell or supply products under brand or product names that mimic well-known food, beverage, confectionary, cartoon or entertainment brands or products (e.g. Skittle, Prime, Fantasi, Coka Cola, Jolly Ranger, Slushie).
Not to supply products whose flavour names resemble or mimic well-known food, beverage, confectionary, cartoon or entertainment brands or products (e.g. Gummy Bear, Haribo, Orio, Red Bull).
Only supply products whose flavour names accurately reflect the profile of the flavour and not abstract concepts that might disproportionately appeal to young people, or which might not communicate the flavour profile accurately to adult customers (e.g. ‘dragon blood’, ‘unicorn shake’, ‘rainbow blast’).
Not to supply or retail products that feature images of cartoon or fictional characters that could be perceived as being primarily aimed at young people on either the product or packaging.
Not to supply products that resemble toys, drinks containers, water bottles or similar novelty items that could be perceived as being primarily aimed at young people.

4. To support and co-operate with regulatory authorities and their enforcement

To comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements covering e-cigarettes and the vaping industry.
To co-operate with regulatory bodies to stamp out counterfeit, untaxed and dangerous products, and report bad practice in our industry to the relevant authorities, including to the HSE.

5. To recycle used vaping products

Uphold our obligations under waste and recycling regulations within our own businesses and communicate to our customers how and where vapes can be recycled.
Promote the proper recycling of waste e-cigarette and vaping products and ensure that we have the facilities on our premises to take back waste vaping products from our customers and recycle them into the correct waste stream.

6. To represent our industry with responsibility and objectivity

To encourage our customers to quit smoking and be an advocate for the public health opportunity that vaping presents as a less harmful alternative to smoking.
To represent a responsible and professional image for the vaping industry so that regulators, government, public health authorities and consumers can have confidence in vaping products and those involved in their sales and distribution.