The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland’s Policy Group on Tobacco has published a new report which makes the case for raising the minimum age of sale of tobacco from 18 to 21 years.
The Tobacco 21 report, was developed from national and international evidence analysed by the Institute of Public Health. IPH Director of Policy, Dr Helen McAvoy, is a member of the RCPI Tobacco Policy Group.
The Tobacco 21 report says amending legislation to raise the minimum legal age for the sale of tobacco products in Ireland offers a proven approach to significantly reduce the numbers of teenagers and young adults becoming addicted to tobacco.
Nearly 4,500 people die in Ireland each year from the effects of smoking – the single biggest contributor to early death. Thousands more suffer from smoking-related diseases, including heart and lung disease, and cancers.
Access the RCPI Tobacco Policy Group report here.
Additional resources
The Tobacco Free Ireland (TFI) strategy (2013-2025) is available here – http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/TobaccoFreeIreland.pdf
A new HSE State of Tobacco Control Report (2022) is available here – https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/tobaccocontrol/news/state-of-tobacco-control-report-2022.pdf
A survey of public views on bringing the tobacco epidemic to an end is available here – https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/tobaccocontrol/news/tobacco-endgame-report-2022.pdf
Support
For help and support to quit smoking visit www.QUIT.ie.
