Public asked to play role in making State ‘tobacco free’ by 2025

The Department of Health is calling on members of the public to share their views on tobacco consumption and take part in a consultation process which aims to achieve a "tobacco free society" by 2025.

The Department has commenced its 2014 public consultation on the sale of tobacco products and non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems (NMNDS), including e-cigarettes, as part of the Republic’s policy on tobacco control.

The consultation follows the drafting of tobacco legislation which was approved by the Government in June 2014.

The proposed measures include the introduction of a licensing system for tobacco products and NMNDS, the prohibition of the sale of tobacco products from self-service vending machines, and a ban on the sale of tobacco products by young people under 18 and the sale of NMNDS and e-cigarettes to and by under 18 year olds.

The Department aims to reduce Irish smoking prevalence to less than 5 per cent of the population by 2025 as part of its Tobacco Free Ireland proposals.

The World Health Organisation recently called for increased regulation of e-cigarettes worldwide, including bans on indoor use, advertising and sale to minors.

The use of e-cigarettes was banned in hospitals around the State after the Health Service Executive introduced a ban on campuses from May 2014 in the same way as tobacco is banned. A ban has also been introduced across all Irish Rail services. Ireland was one of the first countries in the world to introduce a workplace smoking ban 10 years ago.

Members of the public are asked to submit their views on the sale of tobacco products online or can email the Department of Health to request a hard copy of the questionnaire at tobaccoconsulation@health.gov.ie.