Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2023
618. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an alliance of organisations seeking an increase in the legal age of sale of all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21 years of age, commonly known as tobacco 21; if he is in favour of Ireland introducing tobacco 21 as a policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14690/23]
View answerI am aware of the campaign to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 years. I welcome this engagement from civil society and I know that the strong alliance between civil society and Government is the reason that Ireland has been notably successful and has a global reputation as a pioneer in tobacco control.
I understand that at least eleven countries have already increased their legal age of sale of tobacco to 21 with the U.S. introducing it at a federal level in December 2019. I look forward to the evidence from those interventions. My Department continues to examine all policy options, including those relating to age of purchase, which would reduce the enormous, and entirely preventable, toll of disease and death from tobacco smoking in our country.
