I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 to 260, inclusive, together.
The proposal approved by Government on 14 May relates to the minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products rather than to a legal age for smoking or a legal age related to the right to smoke.
A Regulatory Impact Analysis was submitted to Government as part of the proposal.
As tobacco smoking continues to kill an estimated 4,500 of our population each year, my Government colleagues approved my proposal to take strong action to reduce our smoking prevalence and to do so as quickly as possible.
The proposal does not include measures in relation to test purchasing. Consideration will be given to such measures in future law and in consultation with the enforcement authority, the National Environmental Health Service of the HSE.