Government 'considering' generational smoking ban in bid to outlaw cigarettes in future

A generational ban was introduced in the United Kingdom earlier this year and makes it illegal for tobacco to be sold to people born on or after January 1, 2009.

Plans to introduce a “generational smoking ban” that would completely restrict youths from being able to buy cigarettes could be discussed by Cabinet by the end of the month, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

A generational ban was introduced in the United Kingdom earlier this year and makes it illegal for tobacco to be sold to people born on or after January 1, 2009.

The introduction here would be dependent on legal considerations being examined and finalised before any proposals are presented to the Government.

It follows confirmation from health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill that Department of Health officials were “considering all measures” to “end the epidemic of tobacco-related harm in Ireland”.

Former health minister Stephen Donnelly passed legislation in 2024 to raise the minimum legal age to purchase cigarettes to 21 from February 1, 2028.

However, the Irish Examiner now understands plans to introduce a “generational smoking ban” are now at an advanced stage. It is expected a memo could be brought to Cabinet on the matter as early as the end of June.

It is expected this could be developed alongside the new “Tobacco Free Ireland” strategy, which is likely to contain other proposals to make smoking less attractive.

The 2013 action plan contained a goal of having a smoking prevalence rate of less than 5% by 2025. However, sources said it remained “stubbornly high” at 17%.

Government sources said the Coalition was now looking at “more aggressive approaches” to reduce smoking rates, including the generational ban.

They pointed out that in 70 or 80 years, the generational ban would mean smoking would be completely banned in Ireland, as it would prevent an entire generation from being legally allowed to buy cigarettes.

A spokesperson for Ms Carroll MacNeill confirmed the generational ban and “other tobacco endgame measures are being examined in the context of Ireland’s tobacco control policy”.

“All legal considerations need to be examined in advance of any proposals going to Government,” they added.

The Irish Examiner also understands there are other measures currently under consideration to turn people off smoking, including cigarettes having a “mandatory appearance” that would make them less attractive.

As part of Budget 2027 negotiations, there will be requests for further funding for the HSE’s Stop Smoking Service, as well as funding for the creation of a “stop vaping service”, it is understood.

In response to a parliamentary question from Labour TD Mark Wall, Ms Carroll MacNeill confirmed a generational smoking ban was being considered.

“Tobacco is a uniquely lethal product when used exactly as intended by the manufacturer,” she said.

“It kills almost 100 people and causes over 1,000 hospitalisations every week in Ireland. There is no age at which it becomes safe to consume tobacco.

“Our national tobacco control policy, Tobacco Free Ireland, is currently being reviewed. One of the central goals will be to set out a pathway to end the epidemic of tobacco-related harm in Ireland.

“My officials and I are considering all measures to fulfil this objective, including a generational ban.”

Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, junior minister for public health, told the Dáil last September the Government would examine the proposal.

“We will examine all possible options, including groundbreaking measures like the UK approach,” Ms Murnane O’Connor said.

A similar ban was introduced by New Zealand and was passed into law in 2022, but a new government — elected in 2023 — confirmed it would scrap the plan to fund tax cuts.

Last week, legislation banning disposable vapes passed through the Oireachtas. Further legislation will regulate colours and flavours.