The Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed by the Seanad yesterday and will now go to President Michael D. Higgins for consideration and signature.

Upon being signed, the Act will take effect on 1 February 2028. The transition period will mean individuals who are currently eligible to purchase tobacco products — i.e. those aged between 18 and 21 — are not impacted.

The bill provides that current penalties for anyone convicted of selling tobacco products to people under the age of 18 will be extended to cover convictions relating to sales to people under the age of 21, including fines of up to €4,000 or six months’ imprisonment, or both, for a first offence.

The government says the measures will accelerate the decline in adult smoking prevalence, which has remained at 18 per cent for several years, and help to reduce smoking prevalence among children to zero.

Health minister Stephen Donnelly said: “I thank my colleagues in the Dáil and Seanad for supporting this Bill and moving us forward toward the end of combustible tobacco products in our country.

“Ireland has long been a world leader in tackling smoking, beginning with the workplace smoking ban in 2004 and continuing with a range of measures including restrictions around the sale, advertising and packaging of smoking products to make them less attractive and less available to young people.

“I look forward to seeing this measure enacted, to help our young people to avoid the lifetime of addiction and illness that tobacco smoking brings.”

Colm Burke, minister of state with responsibility for public health, wellbeing and the national drugs strategy, said: “This measure will protect our young people from starting their adult lives with an addiction to a product that causes 76 per cent of lung cancers here and kills half of those who use it.

“I have strongly supported its introduction from the beginning and I look forward to its enactment.”

The chief medical officer, Professor Mary Horgan, added: “The enactment of this legislation represents another significant step in our efforts to reduce smoking levels.

“Tobacco smoking continues to be the biggest risk factor driving disability and death combined in our country, placing a huge burden on our health service. This measure will contribute to eliminating that ongoing threat and will support people to follow healthier behaviours.”