Ireland has become the first EU country to set and raise the minimum age required to buy tobacco to the age of self-guardianship of 21 from the age of legal responsibility of 18 which it had been previously in Ireland alike most of the world with some exceptions like the United States where it has been 21 from 2019 under President Trump and Indonesia where it became 21 years this year and where children were legally allowed to smoke before 2020.
“I thank my colleagues in the Dail [lower house] and Seanad [Senate] for supporting this Bill and moving us forward toward the end of combustible tobacco products in our country. Ireland has long been a world leader in tackling smoking, beginning with the workplace smoking ban in 2004 and continuing with a range of measures including restrictions around the sale, advertising and packaging of smoking products to make them less attractive and less available to young people.” said the Health Minister of Ireland Stephen Donnelly by referring to the world’s first smoking ban belonging to his country from 2004 and thanking the other members of parliament as if he was alone in performing this decision which does not constitute a counter-smoking restriction rather than a legitimate form of expected regulation expected to be legislated by the state.
The Irish deputy minister in charge of public health, wellbeing and the national drug strategy said that “This measure will protect our young people from starting their adult lives with an addiction to a product that causes 76% of lung cancers here and kills half of those who use it. I have strongly supported its introduction from the beginning, and I look forward to its enactment.” by referring to the President’s signature in Ireland which is required for the law’s enactment welcoming his prospective signature in advance. If and when the President of Ireland signs the bill into law, it will take effect on the 1st of February 2025.
Those who are already 18, 19 or 20 years old will not be suddenly banned from buying tobacco until they become 21 because of the change in the legislation, but those to become those ages will not be eligible to purchase tobacco until they are 21 years old.
Bring Back Smoking Freedom 