Press release
Ministers for Health announce government approval to raise the age of sale of tobacco to 21
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Colm Burke have announced that the Cabinet has approved a proposal for legislation that will increase the age of sale of tobacco to 21.
Ireland will be the first country in the EU to introduce this measure, continuing our tradition of leadership in tackling smoking rates which began with the ban on indoor smoking in 2004.
The proposal is designed to accelerate the goal of reducing Ireland’s adult smoking rate to less than 5% of the population, in line with government policy. Currently, 18% of the population over the age of 15 are smokers. Preliminary legal advice suggests Ireland cannot pursue a ‘smokefree generation’ policy as has been suggested in other jurisdictions due to the EU’s Single Market rules and Tobacco Products Directive.
Smoking and exposure to second hand smoke kills an estimated 4,500 people per year in Ireland, and it causes an enormous range of preventable illnesses including types of cancers, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases.
Evidence shows that people are at high risk of becoming smokers between the ages of 18 and 21. Raising the minimum purchasing age will make it harder for young people to access tobacco products through direct and proxy buys as well as social sources and is likely to lead to a reduction in the numbers taking up smoking.
Minister Donnelly said:
"This is a tough new measure, but the health impacts of tobacco smoking are immense and require tough responses. I am determined to progress legislation that will protect children and young people from this lethal product and ultimately save lives.
"I am confident this measure will help young people avoid a lifetime of addiction and illness from tobacco smoking. Analysis from the U.S. Institute of Medicine shows that increasing the age of sale to 21 will act to limit the social sources of cigarettes for our children and young people under 18 as they will be less likely to be in social groups with persons who can legally purchase cigarettes."
Minister Burke said:
"Tobacco smoking remains the biggest risk factor driving disability and death combined in our country and the life expectancy of a smoker is on average 10 years shorter than that of a person who has never smoked.
"As Minister with responsibility for Public Health, I am committed to progressing initiatives that protect our population. Raising the minimum age of sale of tobacco is a significant action that will help create a tobacco-free generation and reduce the health harms associated with this behaviour.
"I look forward to working alongside the Minister for Health to introduce this life-saving measure."
Chief Medical Officer Professor Breda Smyth said:
"Smoking causes 13% of all cancers and contributes to many preventable illnesses including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, eye diseases, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
"It’s also responsible for 5% of hospital inpatient admissions, while the financial loss caused by smoking is estimated at €10.6 billion annually.
"Our smoking rates are still unacceptably high, so I am delighted that we are progressing a strong population protection measure that will help bring us closer to the goal of a tobacco-free Ireland."
Minister Ossian Smyth said:
"This is a welcome move by this government to again be a leader in Europe in implementing changes that will ensure fewer young people access tobacco products and become addicted to them. I look forward to seeing this legislation progress through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible."
Ireland aims to become the first country in the EU to raise the minimum age of sale of tobacco products to 21. Latvia has enacted law to raise the minimum age of sale to 20 in 2025.
The Bill will provide that the prohibition on tobacco product sales will not apply to those who are currently between the ages of 18 and 20.
The proposed legislation will not impact the minimum legal age of sale of nicotine inhaling products or vapes. Since December, the sale of vapes to under 18s has been banned. There is currently no proposal to extend this ban to the age of 21.