Cigarette sales: Still far too readily available

AS minister for health, James Reilly proposed banning cigarette machines three years ago. 

He argued this was an important step from protecting children against the danger of smoking. His successor Simon Harris is promising to introduce legislation to ban the 6,000 machines being operated on licenced premises and hotels throughout the country.

There are already many restrictions on cigarettes, but more needs to be done to ensure the country achieves the worthy aim of being tobacco-free by 2025. Cigarette machines are already banned in 15 European countries.