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New laws to raise the legal ag...

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New laws to raise the legal age for buying cigarettes to 21 to come before the Dáil today

Kellie Murphy
Kellie Murphy

08:42 4 Jul 2024


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New laws will come before the Dáil today to raise the legal age for buying cigarettes to 21.

Cabinet approved the legislation back in May and the Health Minister will commence it this afternoon.

In a further bid to deter smoking among young people the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly plans to raise the legal age at which tobacco products can be sold.

It's been described as an opportunity to eliminate smoking among younger generations.

It's hoped the bill will pass by this autumn and come into effect on the 1st of February 2028.

The lead in time is designed so those currently over 18 but under 21 won't be impacted by the changes.

The current penalties for selling tobacco to under 18s will apply to under 21s - including fines of up to 4,000 euro or six months in prison for a first offence.

Minister Donnelly has described it as moving to endgame in the war against tobacco.


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