To: The Irish Government
Enact a Generational Smoking Ban in Ireland
THE UK PARLIAMENT has approved legislation that will ban anyone born after 2008 from ever legally buying tobacco. When the bill is written into law next week, people born on or after 1 January 2009 will be prohibited from purchasing tobacco products.
The UK is not the first country to introduce such a ban, and it would be good for Ireland to follow suit. Ireland can stop the next generation from becoming addicted to tobacco and save billions in healthcare.
The UK is not the first country to introduce such a ban, and it would be good for Ireland to follow suit. Ireland can stop the next generation from becoming addicted to tobacco and save billions in healthcare.
Why is this important?
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in Ireland, killing over 4,500 people every year. A generational smoking ban—stopping the sale of tobacco to anyone born after a certain year—will protect our children and future generations from the harms of addiction, disease, and early death. Countries like New Zealand showed that this approach works, reducing smoking rates and saving lives.
This ban is not about punishing current smokers, but about creating a healthier future. It will save billions in healthcare costs, reduce the burden on our hospitals, and ensure that no young person ever starts a deadly habit. Ireland has always been a leader in public health, and we were one of the first to ban smoking indoors, let’s make history again by becoming the next country to say no to tobacco for good.