Tobacco

Irish businesses which fail to protect employees and customers from second-hand smoke could face costly legal action in the future, a lawyer has suggested. The UK government is planning to ban smoking outside of schools and hospitals in England, though recently backed off more ambitious plans to ban

The UK government has insisted its plans to create a "smokefree generation" will extend to Northern Ireland despite doubts over their compatibility with post-Brexit rules. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which had its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday, will raise the legal age of the purc

Legislation increasing the minimum age of sale of tobacco products to 21, the highest in Europe, has been approved by the Oireachtas. 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.

The Northern Ireland Assembly will be asked to opt-in to new UK legislation which will end the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 2009. The UK is set to become the only country in the world with legislation creating a "smokefree generation" after a similar law in New Zealand was repealed

A fixed penalty of €2,000 can now be imposed on those who sell tobacco products or nicotine inhaling products at events aimed at children. The relevant sections of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 have been commenced with effect from today.

The Irish government has maintained its position that a "generation ban" on tobacco sales is incompatible with EU law and says it is pressing fellow member states for a change in the rules. The Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024 is set to increase the minimum age of sale of tobacco produc

Legislation increasing the minimum age of sale of tobacco products to 21, the highest in Europe, will be brought to the Oireachtas today. The Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment Bill 2024, which will be presented at second stage in Dáil Éireann this afternoon, is the latest in a series o

Northern Ireland will join the rest of the UK in increasing the age of sale for tobacco by one year every year in spite of concerns that it could fall foul of post-Brexit agreements. MLAs yesterday approved a legislative consent motion allowing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently making its way th

Ireland cannot follow the UK in introducing a "generation ban" on tobacco sales due to EU law, according to legal advice obtained by the Irish government. The UK government has said it will seek to create a "smokefree generation" by increasing the age of sale by one year each year to prevent future