8 in 10 want 'lifetime' tobacco ban for children - survey

Updated / Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 16:39

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More than eight in ten people in Ireland want a 'lifetime ban' on children buying tobacco products, new research has found.

A total of 83% would back legislation permanently prohibiting the sale of cigarettes or tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

The measure comes into effect in Northern Ireland next year following the passing of legislation in the UK - leaving a major imbalance in tobacco control laws north and south of the border.

Almost three quarters of people (74%) in Northern Ireland surveyed for the same research, want an all-island ban, with 10% against.

The data was released today to coincide with the Irish Heart Foundation’s launch of the Smokefree Generation Alliance in Dublin, a new advocacy group of 24 health charities, patient and professional representative bodies and youth groups, which wants the Government to replicate Britain’s lifetime ban.

"It’s often forgotten how devastating the impact tobacco has on our society," said Mark Murphy, interim Director of Advocacy with the Irish Heart Foundation.

"Smoking still kills 4,500 people each year in the Republic and over 2,000 die annually from smoking-related illnesses in the north.

"Achieving a smoke-free generation on both sides of the border would absolutely transform public health. Future generations will be saved from the enormous harm tobacco causes," Mr Murphy said.

"We can’t have a scenario where children in the Republic are less protected than those in Northern Ireland," he added.

Under the UK legislation which the new Alliance wants replicated here, the legal age for the sale of tobacco will go up every year, putting it permanently out of reach for those currently aged 17 and under.

Mr Murphy said that while Ireland became a global leader in banning smoking in the workplace 22 years ago, we have since fallen behind as the national smoking rate remains at 17%.

Fidelma Carter, Director of Policy, Research and Prevention with Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke, believes it is a significant opportunity for all-island alignment.

‘‘Northern Ireland’s smokefree generation legislation is a landmark opportunity to protect children and young people from tobacco and nicotine addiction before it starts - and to gradually put an end to the sale of tobacco in Northern Ireland.

"The Republic has taken bold steps - licensing retailers and protecting children and young people through its move to Tobacco 21. Now is the time to bring an 'endgame' for tobacco by having a unified approach to the gradual eradication of the sale of tobacco across the island," she added.

The Ipsos B&A research, undertaken in July, surveyed 1,000 adults aged 18 and over in the Republic and the same number in the north.

A higher proportion of women than men in the north and south support the move.

Of those surveyed in the Republic, 12% said they smoke every day, with a further 4% saying they smoke, but not on a daily basis. Even among smokers surveyed, 70% were in favour of a lifetime ban.

The burden for enforcing the legislation in the UK falls on tobacco retailers, who face fines for non-compliance.