Over 80% of Irish support lifetime ban on tobacco sales

More than eight in ten people in Ireland back a lifetime ban on tobacco sales to future generations, according to research by the Irish Heart Foundation.

Interim Director of Advocacy Mark Murphy told Newstalk Breakfast that the poll showed 83% support in the Republic and 74% in Northern Ireland. Even among smokers in the Republic, 70% favoured the proposal.

Murphy noted that earlier this year the UK introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Act, which will prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, raising the legal purchase age from 18 to 19. He warned this creates a misalignment on the island.

In response, 24 organisations from across the island formed the Smoke‑Free Generation Alliance, urging the Irish government to adopt similar legislation to protect children on both sides of the border.

The foundation highlighted that smoking prevalence in Ireland remains at 17% since 2019, contributing to one in five hospital admissions for respiratory illness, one in eight cancer cases and one in ten circulatory disease cases.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: Irgi Nur Fadil / Pexels.