Legal age to buy cigarettes increased to 21

GOVERNMENT has approved legislation to increase the minimum legal age to buy tobacco products to 21 years, making Ireland the first EU country to introduce this measure.

The Minister for Health today announced that Government has approved legislation to increase the minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products to 21.

The Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024 will now be brought forward for enactment. A lead-in time will be implemented for the new legislation.

According to the Department of Health, the measure is being introduced in order to accelerate the decline in adult smoking prevalence, which has plateaued at 18 per cent for several years.

It is also among a series of measures designed to reduce smoking prevalence among children to zero.

Speaking today, Minister Donnelly said: “As a society, it’s time that we moved forward on this issue.

“Tobacco smoking continues to kill 4,500 of our people every year and remains the biggest single cause of disability and death combined in our country.

“The modelling shows us that this measure will not only protect the targeted age

group but will also protect those under 18 as they will be less likely to be in social groups with 21-year-olds who can legally purchase cigarettes.

“Countries around the world are looking at endgame measures for smoking.

“We are no longer regulating it; we are seeking to eliminate it from our lives and the lives of our children.

“I’m very proud that Ireland is continuing its tradition of leading the way on this issue, and today’s measure is another important step on our journey towards a tobacco-free Ireland”.

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 18.