A NEW law that would limit the sale of tobacco products to people over 21 is set to be brought back before the Dail this week. Said to significantly reduce the "extraordinary harm" smoking does in Ireland, it will take the country one step closer to being tobacco-free. The Institute of Public Health (IPH) explained that The Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment Bill 2024, which is also known as the Tobacco 21 Bill, could cut down the number of young people and children who start smoking.
It's thought that the change will also benefit babies as the number of young mothers smoking would reduce, the IPH said. Dr Helen McAvoy, director of policy at the Institute of Public Health revealed that every year around 4,500 people die from tobacco-related sicknesses across Ireland. She said: “The Public Health Tobacco Amendment Bill 2024 aims to reduce smoking among children and young people.
This marks a positive step towards the Government’s tobacco endgame ambition". The new law is set to "pave the way" for more regulations in an effort to target the "unacceptable level" of health issues that tobacco causes. She explained: "This progressive public health measure will make a significant contribution to achieving a Tobacco Free Ireland, while also reducing health inequity and demand on health services.
"It will further denormalise smoking so that we see tobacco for what it is — a product that causes extraordinary harm to individuals, the wider community, and our planet." She reference.
