It comes 20 years after Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in workplaces, including pubs and restaurants. Currently, 18% of the population over the age of 15 are smokers. The proposed legislation will not impact the minimum legal age of sale of nicotine-inhaling products or vapes. There is currently no proposal to extend this ban to the age of 21. The Government said preliminary legal advice suggests Ireland cannot pursue a “smokefree-generation” policy as has been suggested in other jurisdictions because of the EU’s single market rules and Tobacco Products Directive.

Source: The Herald May 14, 2024 12:05 UTC