Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 September 2024
275. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the findings of his own Department's report on the recent Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024, where 65.3% of respondents said they were opposed to the increase of the minimum age for tobacco sales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37098/24]
View answerEach year tobacco products kill 4,500 people here and cause an enormous range of illnesses including, but not limited to; at least 16 types of cancer; multiple respiratory diseases including COPD which leads to airflow obstruction that is irreversible; cardiovascular diseases including aneurysms, peripheral arterial disease which can lead to gangrene and stroke; diabetes; rheumatoid arthritis and dementia.
The Irish Heart Foundation’s November 2021 poll found that 73% of all adults and 71% of those aged 18-24 supported raising the legal age to purchase tobacco in Ireland to 21. Similarly a 2022 IPSOS MRBI poll carried out on behalf of the HSE found that 71% agreed that the Government should raise the legal age of purchasing tobacco products to 21 years and older.
The responses to my own public consultation may have been influenced by proposals in other jurisdiction for lifetime bans and by views on the regulation of nicotine inhaling products. I am also aware that there was some evidence of coordinated campaigns around my consultation.
