It’s Time for Ireland’s Tobacco-Free Future

Abstract

Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Ireland. It claims over 4,500 lives annually, drives deepening health inequalities, and causes more harm than alcohol, drugs, and accidents combined.¹ This slow-moving, large-scale epidemic remains Ireland’s greatest health challenge. After decades of progress, smoking prevalence reductions have stalled, with nearly one-in-five adults still smoking, falling far short of Government’s target of less than 5% by 2025.1 The new national tobacco policy and plan expected this year is a critical moment for political leadership. To inform this, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Clinical Advisory Group on Smoking and E-Cigarettes has set out six calls to action and an evidence-based pathway with 21 recommended actions to deliver a tobacco-free future.²....