Ireland aims to be tobacco-free by 2025

A new tobacco-control policy, Tobacco Free Ireland, was launched by the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, on 3 October 2013.

A tobacco-free Ireland, as defined in the policy, would be one in which less than 5% of the population smokes (down from the 22% of those aged 15 and over who are currently regular smokers). The policy makes 60 recommendations, with the overall aim of de-normalizing smoking in the Irish society.

At the launch event, Dr Reilly said that “to make Ireland tobacco free in 12 years is an extraordinary challenge, but if we work together to de-normalize smoking for young people we can do it”. He added that “protecting children from the harms of tobacco is the key aim” of the policy.