All About Cork has learned that prisoners who want to quit smoking are doing so with the help of taxpayers money.
Prisons are classed as a place of work and smoking is banned , an inmates cell however is considered a domestic setting therefore offenders are allowed to smoke or use a vape / e cigarette once in their cell.
Figures obtained by All About Cork under freedom of information show that in 2024 & 2025 the Irish Prison Service forked out almost € 30,000 Euro for vapes / e cigarettes.
A spokesperson for the Prison Service said “ In August 2023, the Irish Prison Service introduced a ban on smoking in all prison vehicles. Prisoners who smoke are offered nicotine‑replacement therapy before leaving the prison.
A National Smoking Cessation Group oversees the implementation of the policy.
The Irish Prison Service continues to provide smoking‑cessation supports, including information and healthcare support for people who wish to stop smoking.
For those engaging with cessation efforts, nicotine‑replacement therapy, including inhalers and patches, is available, in line with national smoking‑cessation practice and HSE Quit guidelines.
While the Irish Prison Service didn’t say how many vapes / e cigarettes were purchased in 2024 and 2025 it did confirm they cost taxpayers close to €30,000
