The Irish Government is considering a ban on the sale of tobacco and nicotine-inhaling products to anyone born after a certain date, following the introduction of similar legislation in the UK.

As part of a review of its tobacco control policy, the Department of Health is looking at measures which would mean young people would never legally be able to buy cigarettes or vapes.

The UK law, which is due to come into effect next year and will apply in Northern Ireland, will make it an offence to sell tobacco or nicotine products to anyone born on or after January 1st, 2009.

Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne has published similar legislation, due to be introduced when the Dáil returns after the summer recess, aimed at creating a “smoke-free generation” in Ireland. If passed, the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) (Smokefree Generation) Bill would bring Ireland in line with the UK.

“Over time it would mean that 18-year-olds become 19-year-olds, become 20-year-olds and you can’t sell the product to them. You will see a tobacco- and nicotine-free generation,” the Wicklow-Wexford TD said.

The Department of Health confirmed it is considering a ban on the sale of tobacco to those born after a certain date as part of a review of its Tobacco Free Ireland policy.

“Tobacco is a uniquely lethal product,” the department said in a statement. “It causes almost 100 deaths and 1,000 hospitalisations every week in Ireland. There is no age at which it becomes safe to consume tobacco.”

One of the “central goals” of the review “will be to set out a pathway to end the epidemic of tobacco-related harm in Ireland”, it said.

“All measures to fulfil this objective are being considered, including prohibiting the sale of tobacco to people born after a certain date.”

The Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) said it supports Byrne’s Bill, with director of advocacy Mark Murphy saying it would “very much welcome any Government or backbencher Bill that would bring in a smoke-free generation as per the UK”.

He noted that the legal age for smoking in the State is due to rise from 18 to 21 in early 2028, but said following the UK example on a generational ban was “really important” to have “all-island alignment”.

In 2022, New Zealand became the first country in the world to introduce a generational smoking ban with a steadily rising legal smoking age. However, it later did a U-turn on the measure under a new administration, which argued the move would create a black market for tobacco. Public health advocates described the decision as a “huge win for the tobacco industry”.

“While they say they’re about helping cessation of smoking, it’s very clear they’re marketing the product at young people, trying to grab a new generation of addicts,” he said.

“What we have to do as a State is to stand up to the tobacco companies and try to prevent that addiction.”

The IHF said vapes are somewhat effective in helping long-term smokers to quit. Murphy said they are being marketed “as children’s lifestyle devices in flavours like banoffi pie and lemon and lime”.

He said the Government should look at the Australian model, under which vapes are available as “prescription only” products. Countries such as India had banned vapes entirely, he said.

The department pointed to actions taken on products such as vapes and nicotine pouches to prevent youth uptake. It said legislation before the Seanad “will regulate flavours, packaging and appearance for nicotine-inhaling products”.