Legal age for sale of cigarettes to be raised to 21 as decline in smoking rate plateaus

The minimum legal age for the sale of tobacco will be increased from 18 to 21 under plans due to be approved by Cabinet this week.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will bring a memo to Cabinet to increase the legal age, amid concerns about a recent plateau in the decline of smoking rates in Ireland.

Separately, Mr Donnelly is also drafting legislation to address the thousands of flavours of vapes and the bright colours of the packaging. Those laws would restrict point of sale promotion and include a ban on disposable vapes.

Ministers will be told on Tuesday that raising the minimum legal age for the sale of tobacco products could lead to a significant reduction in smoking prevalence. About 18 per cent of Irish adults currently smoke.

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Mr Donnelly will outline data which shows that the ages between 18-21 are a time of high risk for becoming a smoker.

It is understood that the legislation will be designed so that it does not affect those who are between the ages of 18-21 who are currently legally entitled to be sold tobacco products. The prohibition on the retail sale of tobacco products will not apply to this group for what has been described as a “wash through” period.

Health officials are hoping that the age hike could also limit the social sources of cigarettes for children and young people as they may be less likely to be in social groups with people who can legally purchase cigarettes.

The Government believes that there may be strong public support for the move, following a survey by the Irish Heart Foundation which found that 73 per cent of adults and 71 per cent of those aged 18-24 supported raising the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21.

[ ‘Toxic’ chemicals in flavoured vapes could lead to ‘wave of chronic diseases’ in future, researchers say ]

It comes after legislation was introduced to ban the sale of vapes to children. Under that law, under-18s have not been able to legally buy them since last December.

From this September, there will also be curbs on advertising on public transport and near schools as well as a ban on sales at events attended by children. A ban on the sale of tobacco and vape products from vending machines is also to be enacted shortly, while a new licensing regime will mean all shops selling these products will have to pay an annual licence.

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