Tobacco Control Measures

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

Questions (1144, 1147)

Colm Burke

Question:

1144. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether Ireland intends to use its Presidency of the Council of the European Union to advocate for the inclusion of provisions within any revised tobacco products directive that would permit member states to introduce generational tobacco sales restrictions, similar to those enacted in the United Kingdom under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2025; whether her Department has carried out any assessment of the legal compatibility of such measures with the current EU treaty framework and internal market provisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32831/26]

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Colm Burke

Question:

1147. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health in light of the European Commission's evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive published on 2 April 2026, which found that smoking prevalence across the EU has fallen from 28% in 2012 to 24% in 2023 but that the interim goal of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan to achieve a 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2025 has not been met; the additional measures she believes are necessary at EU level to accelerate progress. [32834/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1144 and 1147 together.

I welcome the publication of the European Commission's evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework. It is a further step towards a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive, which is urgently needed to achieve the EU's goal of a smoking prevalence of less than 5% by 2040.

Irrespective of the Presidency’s national position on a file, the Presidency is, by definition, neutral. Its role is to act as an honest broker. The country holding the Presidency cannot favour either its own preferences or those of a particular Member State.

If the Commission publishes a proposal for a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive during the Irish Presidency, Ireland will be fully committed to progressing negotiations on this proposal in the second half of 2026.