Three-quarters of Irish people support gradual ban on tobacco

A study by ASH Ireland and the Irish Heart Foundation indicates that a large proportion of Irish people support a reduction in outlets, low nicotine cigarettes, an increase in the legal age to buy tobacco and a ban on the sale of tobacco to people born after a certain date.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH Ireland) and the Irish Heart Foundation presented the latest study on public perception of different anti-smoking measures in Dublin.[1]. Carried out by the Ipsos institute on a representative sample of 1,012 people, it completes a series of studies commissioned by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to assess the acceptance of several measures.

Large majority in favour of new anti-smoking measures

The study found that 76 % of respondents supported the idea of a gradual ban on tobacco sales to people born after a certain date, known as the "endgame," compared to 22 % who were opposed. This measure would increase the legal age for purchasing tobacco by one year each year, with the aim of achieving a tobacco-free generation, or fewer than 5 % smokers in the population. 76 % of 18-25 year-olds said they were in favor of this type of measure.

Among other topics assessed, 78 % respondents are in favour of reducing the number of tobacco outlets, and 87 % are also in favour of significantly reducing the nicotine content of cigarettes in order to make them less addictive.

Another study, also conducted by IPSOS for the HSE in 2022 and published in 2023, confirmed that 74.6% of respondents support a tobacco-free Ireland, 82.8% approve of a gradual ban on tobacco sales and 86% support reduced nicotine cigarettes.[2].

A third study conducted by the Irish Heart Foundation indicated that 73 % agree to raise legal age purchasing tobacco from 18 to 21 years old, while 26 % are opposed. 66 % approve of plain packaging for vaping products, against 25 % who are against it. Regarding e-cigarettes, 57 % of respondents are in favor of a complete ban on flavors, while 33 % are opposed.

Authorities are becoming aware of the accumulated delay

With 18,% smokers, including 14,% daily smokers and 4,% occasional smokers, smoking prevalence has stopped decreasing in Ireland since 2020. It has even increased slightly, which is a first in 25 years in this country. The Irish authorities, who had reduced their efforts in the fight against smoking in recent years, are now concerned that they will not be able to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2025. They are now stating that they are fully motivated to pursue this objective in the longer term.

For Dr Emmet O'Brien, Chairman of ASH Ireland, these studies indicate that the public appears more determined than policy makers to achieve a smoke-free Ireland. While in New Zealand, under pressure from the tobacco lobby, the new government has announced a U-turn on anti-smoking policy, and Malaysia has also curtailed its ambitions in this area, Ireland seems to be still on the road to a tobacco-free generation, even if it will get there a little later than expected.

Keywords: Ireland, ASH Ireland, Irish Heart Foundation, Tobacco Free Ireland, Tobacco Free Generation

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[1] O'Regan E, Three-quarters of people support plan to phase-out tobacco sales in Ireland, Irish Independent, published December 6, 2023, accessed December 7, 2023.

[2] Cosgrave EJ, Blake M, Murphy E, et al., Is the public ready for a tobacco-free Ireland? A national survey of public knowledge and attitudes to tobacco endgame in Ireland, Tobacco Control, Published Online First: 26 May 2023. doi: 10.1136/tc-2023-057958