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Irish people are the third biggest vapers on the planet, a new report has revealed.

Figures show only the Japanese and British spend more per capita on these products than us – while other countries in the Top 10 include Denmark, the US and Italy.

The popularity of vaping with Hollywood actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy as well as superstar singer Katy Perry is thought to have influenced the surging popularity of the e-cigarettes.

Figures from Euromonitor International reveal the nation’s spend has shot up by over 30% from €10.70 in 2015 to €14.40 per capita in 2017.

The popularity of vaping has caused concern as it can be seen as a return to social acceptability for something that looks like smoking with unknown risks.

But the electronic, or e-cigarette, which is now 15 years old, is also viewed as extremely successful with millions of people using it as a much less harmful alternative to tobacco. The new Euromonitor report on the practice in Ireland said increasingly, younger generations are taking up vaping, having never previously smoked tobacco products.

A new sport played by vaping enthusiasts called cloud chasing where they blow clouds of vapour is thought to be attracting more young people to e-cigarettes. The report said: “Events such as Cloud Chasing competitions – Ireland hosted a number of these in 2017 – and the influence of a number of vloggers began to attract younger consumer.”

It also told how younger generations of Irish consumers are now also likely to follow trends set by their counterparts in the US and the UK, where this cloud chasing is popular. Euromonitor added: “The number of vapers who have never previously smoked is still relatively low by official Vape Business Ireland estimates – less than 5% – it is increasing steadily.”

The market researchers said this phenomenon “is a concern for the Irish public health authorities”.

They added: “Leading anti-smoking campaigners such as the Irish Cancer Society and ASH claimed that vaping is a gateway to tobacco smoking.”

The report also highlights concerns about the safety of the e-cigarettes in light of global reports of exploding pens.

It pointed out how public health authorities in Ireland have continued to refuse to endorse vaping as a form on Nicotine Replacement Therapy.

The report added: “[They] are cautious about commenting on the long-term health effects of the products due to a lack of long-term evidence.

“This is despite a government-funded study by the Irish Health Information Authority which highlighted the most cost-effective form of NRT in Ireland is to use e- cigarettes in combination with certain prescription medicines.”