Ban on sales, nicotine, filters: how Ireland wants to end smoking

Ireland appears determined to intensify its fight against smoking in the coming years and is evaluating various options for drastically reducing tobacco consumption in the country. This Tobacco-Free Ireland strategy, adopted by the government in 2013, aims to reduce the smoking rate to below the symbolic threshold of 5% by 2025.

As part of the 2022 Strategic Plan for a Tobacco-Free Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland's public health system, will conduct various studies throughout the year to propose several measures to combat smoking and assess the level of public support for these measures.[1].

Intensification of public health measures under consideration

Among the proposals being discussed, the HSE is considering a complete ban on tobacco sales in Ireland, or significantly reducing the number of outlets authorized to sell tobacco products, for example by restricting it to pharmacies only. The HSE will also evaluate regulatory measures on the composition of tobacco products, such as reducing nicotine concentration levels, intended to make the products less addictive. the ban on filters, a major source of pollution and without health justification, or the placing of health warnings on each cigarette.

Ireland plans to make tobacco industry pay

The HSE also highlights the role of manufacturers in the tobacco epidemic. One option being evaluated would be to have tobacco companies bear the burden of smoking-related health costs. According to a 2016 study conducted by the HSE and reported by The Irish Times, active tobacco use and passive smoking cost the Irish healthcare system €172 million per year. Each year, more than 300,000 bed days and more than 33,000 hospitalizations were attributable to tobacco-related illnesses. Finally, the HSE is also considering banning tobacco industry representatives from meeting with members of the Irish government. This provision would go further than the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which requires its Parties to limit interactions between the tobacco industry and public authorities to what is strictly necessary.[2].

The end of smoking, an increasingly credible scenario in several countries

Organizing a definitive end to smoking, also known as the "End Game" strategy, is an option increasingly being considered by various public authorities around the world. In particular, countries such as Australia and New Zealand plan to reduce smoking prevalence to 5% by 2025. In France, President Emmanuel Macron has announced his desire for a first tobacco-free generation by 2030: at least 95% of people aged 18 at that date should not be consuming any tobacco product.

FT

[1] The Irish Times, HSE considers ban on sale of tobacco in State, 12/30/2021, (accessed 01/03/2022)

[2] World Health Organization, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, 2003, (full text, French)