Legal age to buy cigarettes could increase to 21 under plans being examined by Government

Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mícheál Martin TD and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD at a photocall marking 20 years since Ireland banned smoking indoors with 800,000 fewer smokers today. It has been 20 years since the government introduced the Public Health (Tobacco) Act banning smoking in all workplaces, bars and restaurants. 800,000 people have stopped smoking in that time, saving countless lives in the process

The legal age for buying cigarettes in Ireland could increase from 18 to 21 under new plans being considered by Government.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly stated that he will be recommending to Government that the legal age to buy tobacco should be increased as it is currently too easy for minors to obtain products.

He made the comments as Ireland celebrates 20 years of the workplace smoking ban.

Mr Donnelly said that he has been examining if Ireland “can and should” increase the legal purchase age.

He said: “My own belief is we should. We have legislation which we’re preparing should it be something that Government wants to do.

“My recommendation to Government would be that yes, we would move from 18 to 21.

“It’s something that I discussed with Dr [Tony] Holohan when he was the Chief Medical Officer and with Professor [Breda] Smith.

“What they’re saying to me very clearly is […] really it’s a measure aimed at people who are 15, 16, 17 years of age.

“With a smoking age of 18, they find it relatively easy to either buy the cigarettes themselves or get a friend or an older sibling to get them. But then if you move to 21, it makes it much more difficult.

“Whilst it would be a move from 18 to 21, really it’s a public health measure [being] looked at protecting those who were, you know, 15, 16, 17 years of age.”

Mr Donnelly also confirmed that extending a smoking and vaping ban to places like outdoor smoking areas in restaurants is being looked at as part of a public consultation.

The event was also attended by Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who was Health Minister when the ban was introduced in 2024.

As he posed with a group of 21-year-old students at Government Buildings, he noted that many of them were newborns when the ban was introduced.

“At the time, we were very conscious about de-normalising smoking,” he explained.

“When I grew up, smoking in our kitchen was habitual. My mother in particular and her neighbours would come in on a Friday evening or whatever and they’d be smoking away. That was the norm.

“The tobacco industry worked on the premise of getting young people addicted at a very young age, in their 30s 40s, 50s, right through. We had an epidemic.”

Since the smoking ban was introduced, smoking rates have fallen from 27 per cent to 18 per cent. Some 74 countries have followed Ireland’s example and banned smoking indoors.

Minister Donnelly also announced a further crackdown on vapes and e-cigarettes.

Advertising for vapes in and around cinemas showing films for children, on public service vehicles and at stops or stations and within 200 metres of a school will be banned. Young people will also be enlisted to ensure that shops are not selling cigarettes or vapes to those under the age of 18.

Minister Donnelly explained: “We’re also bringing in testing for people selling cigarettes or selling vapes to people under the age of 18.

“There will be minors, 15, 16, 17, [who] will be working with our HSE enforcement team to make sure that the ban is working and, where it’s not, the prosecutions arise where that is necessary.

Mr Donnelly stated that he hopes bans on disposable vapes and a crackdown on flavours and packages will be introduced before the end of the year.

He restated his belief that “bright colours” and bubblegum-flavoured vapes are being targeted at young people.

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