Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

147. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made to date in reducing smoking rates in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16907/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland's smoking prevalence declined from 29% in 2007 to 23% in 2015 and was at 18% in 2021.

Tobacco control policy in Ireland is framed by our national policy Tobacco Free Ireland, by our obligations as a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and by EU tobacco control law. Tobacco Free Irelandcontains over 60 recommendations to reduce smoking prevalence, each of which is subject to two overarching principles:

- The protection of children must be prioritised in all of the initiatives outlined in the policy.

- Denormalisation must be a complementary underpinning theme for all of the initiatives within the policy

The current legislative project in tobacco control is the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill. The Bill is currently being drafted and its major proposals include:

- introducing a licensing system for the sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products to include an annual fee per premises for the sale of such, in such an amount as may be determined by the Minister.

- prohibiting the sale of tobacco products from self-service vending machines.

- prohibiting the sale of tobacco products from mobile units/containers.

- prohibiting the sale of tobacco products at events/locations primarily intended for persons under 18 years.

- prohibiting the sale of nicotine inhaling products to persons under 18 years.

- prohibiting the sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products by those under 18 years.

- introducing minimum suspension periods for tobacco retailers convicted of offences.

- introducing fixed penalty notices (on the spot fines) for offences.