Should the Government follow Britain’s example and ban young people from ever buying cigarettes?

Last week, the British Parliament approved a bill that will raise the age at which a person is legally allowed to buy cigarettes by one year every year. 

It means that no one born in 2009 will ever be allowed to buy cigarettes legally in England. 

The Scottish and Welsh Governments have indicated their support for the measure and will introduce similar legislation at a later date. 

Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Robin Swann has also said he supports the ban applying to the province as well. 

Close up of woman smoking cigarette. Image: Image Source / Alamy Stock Photo

Health experts from around Europe are meeting in Dublin today to find solutions to Ireland's cancer inequalities and Queen's University Professor Mark Lawler said the Irish Government should also consider raising the age you buy cigarettes. 

“What we’re seeing is, we’re not making our targets,” he said. 

“One of the things we would suggest is going for a ‘tobacco 21’ strategy that we only sell tobacco to people who are over 21 and so therefore we actually go towards a smoke free generation.”

According to the 2022 census, less than one in 10 people in Ireland smoke daily.

Main image: Young woman lighting a cigarette.