Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Government's approval of raising the legal age for tobacco product sales to 21, with the passing of this Bill. This landmark decision marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and secure a healthier future for our youth.

First, let us acknowledge the significance of this legislation. By raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21, we are taking a proactive step towards reducing tobacco use among young adults. The measure is being introduced to accelerate the decline in adult smoking prevalence, which has plateaued at 18% for several years. It is also among a series of measures designed to reduce the smoking prevalence among children to zero. To maintain smoking rates at their current level, the tobacco industry needs to recruit 50 new smokers every day. It is targeting our young children to achieve that. Irish smokers start smoking at the youngest age in Europe at just 16 years of age. Ireland will be the first EU country to introduce this measure which will assist our young people to avoid a lifetime of addiction and illness from tobacco smoking.

This move aligns us with growing scientific evidence that shows the developing brain is particularly vulnerable to nicotine addiction and delaying access to tobacco can significantly lower the likelihood of lifelong addiction. The damage caused by tobacco smoking is catastrophic, causing many illnesses and leading to shorter life expectancy. Statistics show that 17.4% of the general population in Ireland aged 15 years and older smoke tobacco, corresponding to 680,000 people. Some 5,200 Irish people die every year from smoking-related diseases. That is mums and dads and grannies and grandads, it is unreal. Smoking is responsible for almost one in five of all deaths. We must take decisive action to ensure that we can protect our young people.

The statistics are compelling. The vast majority of adult smokers began their habit during adolescence. By limiting access to tobacco until the age of 21, we can aim to disrupt this cycle, offering young people more time to mature and make informed decisions about their health.

Research from the Institute of Medicine in the United States indicates that raising the tobacco sales age to 21 can significantly reduce smoking rates among adolescents and young adults. The evidence suggests that this policy can lead to a 12% reduction in smoking prevalence among adults, translating into millions of lives saved and substantial reductions in healthcare costs. This is not just about policy; it is about protecting future generations from the devastating health consequences associated with tobacco use. Furthermore, this legislation is a responsible measure that balances individual rights with collective responsibility for public health. As a society, we have a duty to create an environment that promotes well-being and enables our young people to thrive, free from the grasp of addiction. Critics may argue that such measures infringe upon personal liberties but we must consider the broader implications. The cost of tobacco-related illnesses, both in terms of healthcare expenditure and human suffering, far outweighs any perceived inconvenience. By preventing initiation into tobacco use among adolescents, we are not only saving lives but also reducing the economic burden on our healthcare system and society overall.

This legislation underscores our commitment to evidence-based policy making. It reflects a growing consensus among healthcare professionals, researchers and public health advocates that raising the legal age for tobacco sales is an effective strategy in reducing smoking rates and improving population health outcomes. While this is a step in the right direction, it must be acknowledged that the proposed legislation will not impact the minimum legal age of sale of nicotine-inhaling products or vapes. These products are constantly evolving and their marketing is opening them up to ever-increasing audiences with a range of flavours and colourful packaging. Flavours are a very significant driver for young people's attraction to vaping and those who are trying to quit smoking, resulting in a vaping epidemic. One only has to walk down the street to see teenagers in school uniform inhaling from vapes. I will acknowledge that since December the sale of vapes to under 18s has been banned. However, as soon as the Government regulated vaping, young people either went underground or found a new fix in the form of nicotine pouches. These pouches, which are hard to spot, have become popular among teenagers, risking a move on from the current vaping epidemic. The small pouches are placed inside the mouth between the lips and gums, allowing nicotine to enter the bloodstream via the gums. They are similar to vapes in that they are marketed to the younger population. The lack of regulation is a real concern because an increasing number of students are unable to get through the school day without vaping.

While there is a wide range of legislative measures in place in Ireland intended to reduce tobacco smoking, e-cigarettes face fewer restrictions as they are considered to be consumer products. Importantly, this legislation today is just one part of a comprehensive approach to tobacco control. In 2013, the tobacco policy review group published Tobacco Free Ireland, a report which set a target for Ireland to reduce smoking prevalence to less than 5% by 2025. The report identified tobacco-related harm reduction as a key issue for consideration. According to a peer-reviewed research paper entitled Friends and family Matter Most: a trend analysis of increasing e-cigarette use among Irish teenagers and sociodemographic, personal, peer and familial associations, there are worrying changes in adolescent e-cigarette use since 2014. For example, two-thirds of adolescents had never smoked cigarettes at first e-cigarette use. This means that two-thirds used e-cigarettes out of curiosity but fewer than 3% used them for smoking cessation. The most prominent risk factors for e-cigarette use are peer and parent-related.

At the end of the day, even though it is so common in society, tobacco is a drug. There is tobacco in e-cigarettes, even if they taste like watermelon or passionfruit. Nicotine addiction is a real addiction. The most important thing to do is identify the barriers that stop people from getting the help they need. The objective of the 2019–20 National Drug and Alcohol Survey, NDAS, was to determine the prevalence and patterns of drug use, including alcohol and tobacco use, of a representative sample of the general population aged 15 years and older in Ireland. With these insights, we must continue to invest in public education campaigns, support smoking cessation programmes and address the broader social determinants of health that contribute to tobacco use. We must work with partners to produce information to support discussion with young people on vaping and raise awareness of the risks it poses, given the rise in its popularity. Additionally, interventions that take account of friend and family influences may provide mechanisms for preventing an increasing risk of nicotine addiction. Current tobacco control regulations for young people should be extended to include e-cigarettes.

The passage of the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024 represents a significant milestone in our journey towards a tobacco-free future. The impact of this legislation extends beyond the immediate benefits to individuals. It is a critical component of our broader public health strategy aimed at reducing the burden of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and respiratory conditions, all of which are closely linked to tobacco use. By curbing the initiation of smoking among young people we are setting the stage for a healthier population and easing the long-term strain on our healthcare system. It reflects our commitment to prioritising public health and safeguarding the well-being of our youth.

As we move forward, the passage of this Bill is not the end of our efforts but is just the beginning. We must complement this legislative change with robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance and prevent illegal sales. This includes stringent monitoring, increased penalties for violations and comprehensive public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and the new legal age requirements. Let us remain vigilant, continue to build upon our successes and work together to create a healthier, smoke-free environment for all. We must continue to support cessation programmes for those who are already addicted and offer them the resources and assistance they need to quit. This includes expanding access to counselling services, nicotine replacement therapies and other evidence-based interventions. Our goal should be not only to prevent new cases of tobacco addiction but also to help current smokers break free from their dependency. Moreover, we must remain vigilant against the evolving tactics of the tobacco industry. As we tighten regulations on traditional tobacco products, we must also address the rise of new and emerging products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices. These products are often marketed as safer alternatives but they pose their own set of health risks, particularly to young people. Our regulatory framework must be adaptable and comprehensive, covering all forms of tobacco and nicotine delivery systems.

I have said from day one that smoking can seriously damage one's health. I am very lucky because I never smoked. At the same time, I am kind of unlucky because both of my parents smoked and they are no longer with us today. I have seen first-hand the damage that smoking can do. It is very important that we stop children at a young age from smoking. Ireland's young people are among the youngest in the EU to start smoking, at 16 years of age, which is very alarming. As I said earlier, around 5,200 people are dying each year from smoking. These are mammies, daddies, uncles, aunties, grannies and granddads.

This Bill is a step in the right direction. However, every morning for the last number of months myself and my good wife have been getting up and going for a walk. What do we see along the roads? We see the cartridges of the vapers. I know that the Minister of Health is doing a good job and that he cannot do everything at once but it is not fair that our young population is being targeted. Nicotine is a drug that is addictive. Young people think that they look well and they look cool. If one goes out in the evening, one sees boys and girls who are being put under pressure by their peers and it is very unfair. The more we do to protect our youth, the better. My mother and father put the fear of God into me with regard to smoking. I would be in my bedroom and would hear my dad getting up at 7 o'clock in the morning. All I could hear from his bedroom as he went down to the scullery to have a shave was a constant cough. At the end of the day, we all love our parents and I could have had a lot more years with mine were it not for their smoking.

This legislation is a step in the right direction and I support it but more needs to be done. Vaping is really taking over at the moment, especially among young females, because of the colourful cartridges and so on. The Minister is doing a good job. We give him a lot of flak and indeed, only this morning I was talking to him about GPs and everything else. It must be said that he is a Minister who answers the phone and if he can help, he will; our youth needs help.

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