More than 20 organisations call for all-island ban on tobacco sales to future generations

An alliance involving over 20 organisations is calling on the Government to pass legislation to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after January 1 2009.

The Smokefree Generation Alliance is made up of organisations involved in patient representation, higher education institutions and youth groups from all over the island of Ireland.

In the UK, anyone born after January 1, 2009, will never be legally allowed to purchase tobacco products. This leaves a mismatch between tobacco purchasing laws on both sides of the border.

The legal age of tobacco products in the Republic of Ireland will increase to 21 in 2028.

The Royal College of Surgeons joined the alliance at a meeting in Dublin on Wednesday, urging an all-island approach to tobacco sale laws.

On their website, they said: “The Smokefree Generation Alliance was established to advocate for Ireland to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January, 2009, creating an all-island approach to this vital public health issue. The Alliance is unique, with health groups from across the island of Ireland speaking with one voice, calling on the Irish Government to begin planning for the implementation of smokefree generation legislation.

“Every year, over 4,500 people in Ireland die prematurely from the effects of tobacco-related disease, while another 2,000 people die from smoking annually in Northern Ireland. Tobacco use causes devastating harm across the island of Ireland, regardless of jurisdiction or background.

“RCSI, as a member of the Smokefree Generation Alliance, believes there is a unique opportunity to rid tobacco harm from our society and truly create a smokefree future. Realising this future would be utterly transformational for public health and healthcare across this island.”