Tobacco

Tobacco

Tobacco use is associated with a wide range of health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, respiratory diseases, and many other conditions.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 8 million people die from tobacco use every year, with a further 1.2 million deaths annually from second-hand smoke.

Why is tobacco a public health issue?

Ireland and Northern Ireland are continuing to experience an epidemic of tobacco-related disease, disability and death. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths and preventable cancers across the island of Ireland, contributing to around 5,000 deaths in Ireland and 2,300 deaths in Northern Ireland every year.

Tobacco use not only harms the health of people who smoke, but also has significant negative effects on the health of non-users through exposure to second-hand smoke. There are also significant economic costs associated with tobacco use, including healthcare costs, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life.

The burden of tobacco-related harm falls disproportionately on certain vulnerable groups within the population, notably children, people living in social disadvantage, men and people with mental ill-health.

Support Services

If you, or a loved one, require help to quit smoking, the following support and information is available:

Ireland: Quit.ie
Northern Ireland: - Stop Smoking NI

Key Facts: Tobacco

Tobacco use among adults (16 yrs+)

Ireland: 18% of adults reported smoking (2022)

Northern Ireland: 17% of adults reported smoking (2021/22)

Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

Since becoming the first country in the world to ban smoking in public places in 2004, Ireland has committed to becoming Tobacco Free.

Tobacco Free Ireland Policy 2013-2025

Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025

Health Service Executive Tobacco Free Ireland Programme

Northern Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

In Northern Ireland, the following policies, strategies and legislation are in place to address tobacco-related harms.

10 Year Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland (2012-2022)

Mid Term Review Tobacco Control Strategy

IPH evidence review for mid-term review of 10 Year Tobacco Control Strategy

Tobacco

Recent work on tobacco

IPH uses new and emerging evidence and data to develop policy briefs and submissions that will inform public policy on tobacco control in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Recent examples of our work include giving evidence to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health on the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2019, contributing to a report by the Royal College of Physicians Tobacco Policy Group on raising the minimum age of sale of tobacco from 18 to 21 years, and developing Tobacco 21 Mythbusters to debunk some of the myths that persist around tobacco.

Building on previous work in Northern Ireland, the Institute is supporting elements of the End of Term Review of the 10 Year Tobacco Control Strategy, including a stakeholder engagement report, and outputs focussed on second-hand smoke and mental health.

Latest Tobacco Resources

Tobacco

Wealth/ Health letter blocks

Your Health is Your Wealth – Public Health Policy Framework 2012-2020

1 Jan, 2012 - What would you like the public health policy to achieve? To set out strategic actions which will contribute to tangible improvements in…

Alcohol Chronic Conditions Health Inequalities Health Promotion Social Determinants of Health Tobacco

Crowd in street

Widening inequalities in smoking rates in the Republic of Ireland?

Journal Articles

1 Jan, 2011 - To assess patterns in adult smoking rates in Ireland across two main socio-economic indicators: level of education and social class (SC…

Health Inequalities Tobacco

Paper lungs in hands

Making Chronic Conditions Count: 5. Chronic Airflow Obstruction

1 Feb, 2010 - This piece of research is the fifth in a series of chronic conditions prevalence forecasting reports which IPH has produced. Previous…

Chronic Conditions Health Inequalities Tobacco

Faces on Ireland map

One Island – One Lifestyle? Health and lifestyles in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

2 Oct, 2009 - This report presents a North/South profile of physical and mental health, lifestyles and the experience of health services. It was…

Physical Activity Mental Health Cancer Alcohol Tobacco Women's Health Obesity

Child in fresh air

Smokefree legislation consultation response (UK)

17 Sep, 2007 - The Institute of Public Health was established in 1999 to promote co-operation for Public Health on the island of Ireland. It aims to…

Health Inequalities Tobacco

Office scene

DHSSPS Consultation on smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces

17 Mar, 2005 - The Institute of Public Health, funded by the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland and the…