Pro-smoking campaigners challenge plan to raise age limit for buying cigarettes

Simon Clark, the director of Forest, described the proposal to increase the smoking age to 21 as “a distraction from the real issues” facing the country. File picture: iStock Photo

Pro-smoking campaigners have vowed to fight government plans to raise the legal age for buying cigarettes and tobacco from 18 to 21.

Smokers' rights group Forest (Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco) said it would challenge what it called “creeping prohibition” following confirmation that the Health Minister plans to seek government approval for the move before the end of May.

Simon Clark, the director of Forest, claimed the proposal to raise the age of sale will drive young adults into the arms of criminal gangs and illicit traders.

“If you can drive a car, join the army, purchase alcohol and vote when you are legally an adult at 18, you should also be allowed to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products,” he said.

“Raising the age of sale of tobacco to 21 is creeping prohibition because it won't stop there.

“The next step will be a UK-style ban, raising the age of sale every year until no-one can legally purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products.” 

The Irish Examiner reported on Tuesday how Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, who has previously stated his intention to raise the age of sale from 18 to 21, plans to bring a memo to Cabinet within weeks seeking government approval to proceed with legislation.

It is part of a wider long-term strategy to create a tobacco-free generation. Health officials are in the final stages of preparing a memo for Cabinet on draft legislation to give effect to such a move.

The proposed legislation is based on a private member’s bill which was prepared, before his promotion, by recently appointed Minister of State, Colm Burke, who has responsibility for public health.

Mr Burke said tobacco smoking remains the biggest single risk factor driving disability and death combined in Ireland.

Research published by the World Health Organisation last week showed that e-cigarettes have become more popular than conventional cigarettes.

“Each year in our country an estimated 4,500 deaths are attributable to smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke,” he said.

“In addition to the death toll, smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke cause an enormous range of preventable illness and disability including of 13% of all cancers.

“They also account for 2% of day case admissions, 5% of all inpatient admissions and 8% of all bed days at an estimated cost of €172m in publicly funded hospitals.

Mr Clark described the proposal to increase the smoking age to 21 as “a distraction from the real issues” facing the country.

“Worse, it won't stop younger adults from smoking. 

It will simply drive them into the arms of criminal gangs and illicit traders. What next? Raising the age of sale of alcohol? 

"While smoking rates among children and young adults continue to fall, the rate of alcohol consumption in the 15-24 age group is said to have risen from 66% in 2018 to 75% in 2023.

“According to the Health Research Board, one in three drinkers aged 15-24 has an alcohol use disorder.

“If that's true then surely a far more important priority for government is tackling misuse of alcohol among younger people?” he said.

Research published by the World Health Organisation last week showed that alcohol use is widespread amongst young teenagers and e-cigarettes have become more popular than conventional cigarettes.