Under 21's won't be able to buy cigarettes under planned new laws.
Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly is to seek cabinet backing tomorrow to raise the legal age to buy cigarettes from 18 to 21.
He will tell his colleagues that the ages between 18 and 21 are high-risk for taking up smoking.
The law change won't affect 18 year olds who smoke already, as the measures include a so-called 'wash through' period.
Minister Donnelly is also set to draft laws to further clamp down on e-cigarettes, including limiting flavours and banning disposable vapes.
The Health Minister will tell his colleagues that the ages between 18 and 21 are high-risk for taking up smoking.
Approximately 18% of Irish adults currently smoke.
The Irish Heart Foundation conducted a poll in November 2021 and found that 73% of all adults and 71% of all those aged 18 to 24 supported raising the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21.
Other countries have already raised the legal smoking age, as have states in the US and provinces in Canada.
