Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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768. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the introduction of a law to make it illegal for persons to smoke who were born after the year 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32905/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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At present it is illegal to sell tobacco products to those under 18 years. Tobacco Free Ireland, the latest policy document on smoking in this country, has the protection of children as one of its main themes.

One of the key strategies for protecting children and young people, as well as for moving towards the creation of a tobacco free society, is the denormalisation of tobacco use. Making smoking less attractive to children and young people, and increasing its social unacceptability are essential elements of this strategy. Initiatives already in place such as the workplace smoking ban, together with the development of further smoke-free areas as recommended in Tobacco Free Ireland, including tobacco free playgrounds, education campuses, child care and health care facilities, will all play a part in this regard.

The year 2025 has been identified as the date on which Ireland will become tobacco free, i.e. with a smoking prevalence of 5% or less. It is anticipated that the recommendations made in Tobacco Free Irelandwill make a significant contribution to achieving this target.