The Government is considering introducing a generational ban on the sale of tobacco and nicotine-inhaling products, meaning people born after a specified date would never be legally permitted to purchase cigarettes, vapes or similar products.
The proposal is being examined as part of the Department of Health’s review of Ireland’s tobacco control policy. The review is considering a range of measures aimed at reducing smoking and nicotine addiction, including legislation that would gradually create a generation unable to legally buy tobacco or nicotine products.
The proposal follows similar legislation introduced in the UK. Under the UK law, which is expected to come into effect next year and will also apply in Northern Ireland, it will be illegal to sell tobacco or nicotine products to anyone born on or after January 1st, 2009. As the affected generation grows older, the restriction will remain in place, meaning they will never reach a legal age at which they can purchase these products.
Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne has already published similar legislation in Ireland. His Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) (Smokefree Generation) Bill is expected to be introduced when the Dáil returns from its summer recess. If passed, the Bill would establish a smoke-free generation and bring Ireland broadly in line with the approach being taken in the UK.
Mr Byrne said the legislation would mean that as young people reached adulthood, they would remain unable to legally purchase tobacco or nicotine products. He argued that this would gradually create a tobacco- and nicotine-free generation while helping to prevent young people from developing addictions.
The Department of Health has confirmed that a generational sales ban is among the measures being considered as part of its review of the Tobacco Free Ireland policy. The department described tobacco as a “uniquely lethal product”, stating that it is responsible for almost 100 deaths and around 1,000 hospitalisations in Ireland every week.
The department said one of the main objectives of the review would be to establish a pathway towards ending tobacco-related harm in Ireland. It added that all possible measures were being considered, including preventing the sale of tobacco to people born after a specific date.
The Irish Heart Foundation has expressed support for the proposed legislation. Its director of advocacy, Mark Murphy, said the organisation would welcome any Government or backbench Bill aimed at creating a smoke-free generation similar to the UK model.
The legal age for purchasing tobacco in Ireland is already due to increase from 18 to 21 in early 2028. Mr Murphy said that introducing a generational ban would also help create greater alignment between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The proposal would also cover nicotine-inhaling products such as vapes. Mr Byrne has raised concerns about the popularity of vaping among young people and the links between many vaping products and major tobacco companies.
The Department of Health is also progressing separate legislation aimed at reducing youth access to vaping products. The proposed measures would regulate flavours, packaging and the appearance of nicotine-inhaling products, while also banning their advertising and preventing them from being displayed in shops.
Supporters argue that stronger restrictions are necessary to prevent a new generation becoming addicted to nicotine, while opponents may raise concerns about enforcement, illicit markets and individual choice.
