A Cork-based GP says Ireland should follow New Zealand's lead and ban smoking for younger people.
John Sheehan was speaking as New Zealand plans to introduce laws that will mean young people will soon be banned from legally buying cigarettes.
People aged 14 and under in 2027, when the law comes into effect, will be not be able to purchase cigarettes - while the level of nicotine in cigarettes available to older people will be reduced.
The number of retailers allowed to sell cigarettes could also be cut dramatically as part of proposals unveiled on Thursday.
New Zealand, like Ireland, already requires plain packaging and has high taxes on cigarettes.
Dr Sheehan told Newstalk Breakfast such a move would be 'the final step'.
"I think it's a fantastic idea and I would really support it being adopted here.
"We know all the harmful affects of smoking, we've known that for decades... we know it's really, really hard to give up once people start.
"So why not take the final step... none of us want our children to take up smoking - so I think this is a really progressive step".
He says similar laws are in place for other dangerous substances.
"The State get Revenue from cigarettes, but that is gradually going down.
"And the State spends way more on treating the effects of tobacco than it takes in in revenue.
"So we do this for legislation to protect people for seatbelts [sic], we protect them from certain medications, gun control.
"And why not ban a substance that causes so much harm, so much illness and just get rid of it?"
And Dr Sheehan says while making smoking illegal may push it underground, it would eventually eliminate it.
"All the measures that have been brought in... in terms of restricting smoking have had an effect.
"Smoking is down now to around 16/17% of the population: so it is coming down, these measures do make a difference.
"Everyone might say it might go underground; but if it's not accessible and it's not available, eventually you eliminate it."
