610. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an alliance of organisations (details supplied) seeking an increase in the legal age of sale of all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21 years, commonly known as Tobacco 21; if he is in favour of Ireland introducing Tobacco 21 as a policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60549/22] 

675. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a group (details supplied) calling on the Government to raise the smoking age from 18 to 21, in support of the Government's stated objective of reducing the smoking rate in Ireland to 5% by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60847/22] 

676. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if it would be permissible under the current EU tobacco products directive to raise the smoking age in Ireland from 18 to 21 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60848/22] 

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 610, 675 and 676 together. 

The EU Tobacco Products Directive does not legislate for age of sale therefore it would be possible for Ireland to increase its minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products through domestic law. 

I am aware of the campaign to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 years. I welcome this engagement from civil society and I know that the strong alliance between civil society and Government is the reason that Ireland has been notably successful and has a global reputation as a pioneer in tobacco control. 

I understand that at least eleven countries have already increased their legal age of sale of tobacco to 21 with the U.S. introducing it at a federal level in December 2019. I look forward to the evidence from those interventions. My Department continues to examine all policy option, including those relating to age of purchase, which would reduce the enormous, and entirely preventable, toll of disease and death from tobacco smoking in our country.