Forest Ireland has welcomed a call by a leading Senator for the Irish government to embrace vaping as an alternative to smoking but has urged politicians to abandon "unrealistic and artificial" smoking cessation targets.

Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone, who was awarded the title 'Nanny-in-Chief' by the smokers' group Forest Ireland in 2017, told the Irish Independent:

"We are currently on track to miss our smoke-free deadlines in Ireland and I believe that we can correct this course by potentially incorporating e-cigarettes in our policies.

"In an ideal world none of these products would be necessary. However we must recognise the challenges in front of us and do everything we can to tackle smoking."

John Mallon, spokesman for Forest Ireland, said:

"We welcome Senator Noone's support for e-cigarettes which evidence suggests are a helpful and safer option for smokers who wish to quit.

"It is wrong however to set deadlines for a smoke-free Ireland and to promote vaping as a tool to achieve an unrealistic and artificial target.

"Tobacco is legal product and if adults choose to smoke in full knowledge of the health risks that is a matter for them not government or nanny state loving politicians."