The UK Tobacco and Vapes Act, passed at the end of April, bans the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

The law applies across all four UK regions, including Northern Ireland, meaning future generations there will be unable to purchase tobacco products legally.

The legislation does not restrict current smokers but prevents tobacco companies from selling to new customers in the affected age group.

The Act also introduces tighter rules on vapes and nicotine products marketed at children.

In the Republic of Ireland, 4,500 people die from tobacco-related causes each year, with around 100 deaths and 1,000 hospital admissions recorded weekly.

Seventeen per cent of the Irish population smokes, and 12 per cent of teenagers smoke according to 2024 research by the TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland.

Ireland is advancing two bills through the Oireachtas to ban disposable vapes and restrict e-cigarette flavours to tobacco and unflavoured varieties.

Public opinion polls show 83 per cent support for ending tobacco sales and 76 per cent support for a generational ban on tobacco purchases.