Smoking engaged in by 800,000 fewer since ban introduced 20 years ago, HSE says

There are 800,000 fewer smokers in the State since indoor smoking was banned 20 years ago, however there is concern over a “slight rise” in smoking prevalence, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE).

On March 29th, 2004, Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce the ban in all workplaces, bars and restaurants.

Some 74 other countries have followed suit over the past two decades while, in Ireland, smoking rates are down from 27 per cent in 2004 to 18 per cent in 2023.

Speaking in advance of the 20th anniversary, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who was minister for health at the time, said the introduction of the ban was one of the “most important and memorable days” in his political career.

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“While it was viewed as a controversial measure at the time and faced stiff opposition, the positive impact that the smoking ban has had on public health in Ireland is clear. Over the past two decades, smoking rates have reduced significantly – particularly among children. Hundreds of thousands of people have given up smoking since 2004,” he said.

Mr Martin said Ireland was now however facing “new, worrying challenges” posed by vaping.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the ban on the sale of vapes to those under the age of 18 had an immediate effect when implemented at the end of 2023. “Today we’re commencing more parts of the Act around advertising vapes or nicotine inhaling products in cinemas where there’s movies aimed at children, on public transport and in other areas as well,” he said.

Separately, plans to carry out “tests” in shops will see those aged under 18 working with the HSE enforcement team to assess the efficacy of the ban. Mr Donnelly said prosecutions would arise from the tests where vapes were sold to minors.

A public consultation on vapes and cigarettes was now complete, he said, which had looked at taxation on vapes, banning disposable vapes, as well as extending the smoking ban to outdoor areas in bars, restaurants and cafes.

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He said he believed the minimum age for smoking should be increased from 18 to 21.

“It’s a measure aimed at people who are 15, 16 or 17 years of age. With the smoking age of 18, they find it relatively easy to be able to either buy the cigarettes themselves or get a friend or an older sibling to get them but if you move to 21 that makes it much more difficult,” he said.

Martina Blake, the HSE’s lead for the HSE Health and Wellbeing Tobacco-Free Ireland programme, said smoking rates had reduced considerably over the last 20 years.

“I am worried however that since Covid we have seen a complete stall and even a slight rise in smoking prevalence, therefore new and innovative policies will be required to truly realise the Government’s goal of a tobacco-free Ireland,” she said.

The Irish Heart Foundation, which has consistently lobbied for the change said raising the minimum age to 21 is a crucial step in ending “the scourge of tobacco” .

Chris Macey, director of advocacy and patient support noted recent Irish Heart Foundation research which showed that 73% of the Irish public would support the change.