488. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered the practical impact on retailers for staffing and retail security issues arising from the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024; the regulatory impact assessment carried out on this matter which will affect retailers across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39629/24]

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: The Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill is designed to reduce the enormous number of deaths, approximately 90 people per week, and the range of catastrophic illnesses caused by tobacco smoking in our population. It contains a single measure, which is to change the minimum legal age of sale of these lethal products, from 18 to 21. Retailers, who currently must ensure that a customer is aged 18 or over, will have to ensure that the customer is aged 21 or over, with no additional obligations to engender staffing or security considerations. I look forward to enacting this measure as soon as possible.